Do artichokes taste good raw?

[lissomllama]

When I was cooked I used to love artichokes and raw ones seem very tough. Were humans even meant to eat these? I know that they are a type of thistle which makes me think that we probably shouldn't eat them. Does anyone eat these raw?

[threedogs]

Well, my first impression was, 'ugh.. no way.' I had visions of trying to munch on the equivalent of hay... but then I did a search, and found this:

http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/artichokes-white-asparagus

The author speaks of being in Spain and Italy in the spring - "Artichokes were at the peak of their season in late-April and early May and I fully intended to get my fill of this vegetable that is generally not available fresh in Manila. Over the course of two weeks, we had young artichokes battered and fried, raw artichokes sliced and served in salads with superb olive oil..."

So I am surprised! Of course, I would try the smallest, youngest one can find.

And then I found this:

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/moblog/archives/2006/05/raw_artichoke_s.html

Cool!

:rolleyes:

[Lay-Lay]

I had often wondered that myself. I thought I would experiment someday, but never have. Now that I know they are a great salad additions I will give some a try.

[threedogs]

Just mentioned this to my BF, who is Italian descent (I'm half, but third generation, so lots of info's been lost). He said that the ones that are eaten raw are the tiny, tiny baby artichokes. Hard to find around here (Boston area).

[Brianna]

I once ate a raw artichoke. It didn't taste very good and it stained my teeth green. It's not worth it.

[RowanC]

I'm not sure, but it seems that if you had very young artichokes, and if you peeled all the leaves off and just sliced the CHOKE part... it might be pretty good? It's spring.. maybe someone will try it. Maybe I will if I see artichokes at famer's market. The ones in the store are the size of footballs and must be totally embedded with chemical fertilizers to be that big :(


Edited: Oh duhhh... I just read the link and you already said that about the young ones. I'm slow but I'm here....

[rawpriestess]

we have a new artichoke plant with a tiny baby one on it, about 1"
and a bigger one about 3" on the top, I don't know if we will attempt to eat it, or let it go to seed, just to see it flower, but we'll let you know what we intend to do with the little guy, well, um er, bug guy, he's about 3 feet tall now.LOL

he's certainly beautiful.

we also have lots of thistle which is gorgeous in bloom, we love the spiny leaves and the pretty purple flowers, anything that blooms purple is probably gonna' find it's way to our gardens.

Dragggon grows food, I love flowers. YES!!!

[lissomllama]

Same here, thistles are fabulous, I've got them around too because I'm proud of my Scottish heritage and the thislte is Scotland's national flower!

Thanks for the input, all!