Sunday, July 08, 2007

Hardly a vegetable is it?



I may plant artichoke though we are unlikely to utilise it as a vegetable, whilst I am less than impressed with their taste Carol thinks they are a complete waste of space on the plate. I think they would fine in the flower garden adding a variety of foliage that would suit the climate and be a foil to the softer and lusher leaved plants.If you have followed this Mediterranean garden blog for a while you may recall we turned down the chance to live on an artichoke farm.

Lest we be tempted to fiddle and fart around with artichokes in an attempt to turn them into food, we may better to try cardoons their larger scale and ornamental cousins.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Colin and Carol, Gonzalo next door - the oracle on la huerta - has a row of artichokes straight down his garden, around 15 plants. He hacks the leaves down and leaves them there to rot and return their nutrients to the soil.

    He tries to give us the fruits but, like you, find them more trouble than they're worth. Better to buy a jar of the hearts and mix in the salad.

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  2. I like to eat artichokes occasionally, but not enough to try to grow them. Your iris look lovely, btw. Nice blog! :-)

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  3. I used to think like you, but having just eaten arts in France cooked with white wine and bacon and peppercorns, I'm converted.

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  4. Anonymous4:11 am

    I grew them this year and they were amazing! Check out my site for pictures!

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  5. Anonymous4:26 pm

    HI
    I am the deputy editor or a new magazine for the over 50s on the Costa Blanca in Spain. We are currently looking for articles and wondered whether you would be interested in providing us with any. If you are interested, please email me.
    Sincerely
    Sam Hull

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  6. Anonymous10:25 pm

    BTW, cardoons are edible too.

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  7. Pam - They will not be appearing in my kitchen and time soon!

    Dawn - thank you.

    David - it was probably a tough conversion, but please have my share.

    Lavender gardener - they are quite imposing plants.

    Sam - there are no contact details in your comment.

    MMW - Possibly more artichoke than artichoke.

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