Globe artichoke

The globe artichoke is related to the thistle. Its leaves are eaten, along with the bottom part of the flower, called the heart (which you can also buy tinned). It makes a delicious starter simply boiled whole and served with melted butter, mayonnaise, hollandaise or vinaigrette for dipping the leaves into. Break off each leaf and draw the soft fleshy base through your teeth. Once you12ka4ve removed all the leaves you can pull or slice off the hairy 12ka4choke12ka4 and eat the heart and the meaty bottom with the remaining sauce. See also artichoke for information about Jerusalem and Chinese artichokes.