June to November Artichokes and Cardoons

Since founding the farm, I have indulged a 25-year obsession with these prickly relatives of the thistle without ever managing to turn a prof 1.1 live in hope but have to acknowledge that the preparation required, the often bitter earthiness and occasional toughness mean that they will not be for everyone. Artichokes, and in particular, cardoons, vary hugely in bitterness, sweetness and toughness according to variety, maturity at picking and growing conditions. They are both native to north Africa and are grown around the Mediterranean in large quantities where they are eaten as a staple winter vegetable.