I am a new artichoke grower from utah. My plant has done amazingly well and has grown amazingly! I picked one when the leaves were still tight and it turned out really tough. Any suggestions? Did I pick it too soon? Now the fruit is bulking on the bottom and the leaves are separated more on top...what do I do?
Are you sure you know what to eat. The only portions the is edible is the lower end of the leaf. They are boiled in water for about 15 minutes then the leaves are pulled off one by one and the lower end is dipped in butter and sort of pulled off with the teeth and lips. Pick when about palm size and before too many leaves open up. Actually artichokes are insipid, and the interest in them is mostly novelty, and often they are served with a sauce that has nothing to do with the artichoke. My only condiment is butter and I grow a few artichoke each year and choke the fruit down. Most people avoid them.
