Globe artichoke

Today's the day ………………………. for a work of art

A globe artichoke is, without doubt, a work of art with its dark and pale green leaves with purple edges forming a perfectly shaped bud.  They are surprisingly easy to grow in the garden, providing you have a bit of spare room in a border.  And because they are very architectural plants, they can look very striking in the herbaceous border rather than in with the veg.

They're easy to cook too.  There’s something extremely satisfying about leisurely peeling off the leaves, dipping them into vinaigrette and biting into the fleshy part at the base of each leaf. Then, of course, the prize – the heart at the very centre, providing a kind of grand finale to the whole affair.

You can find one of Delia's recipes for globe artichokes with shallot vinaigrette here ……………………..