| Description |
The Cardoon, or Artichoke Thistle, is a herbaceous, perennial thistle-like plant in the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. It is a naturally occurring species of which the Globe artichoke is a cultivar. The wild Cardoon has hairy, spiny leaves and spiny violet flowers. It is adapted to semi-arid climates and is a weed in California and Australia. It's white flower buds, inner white stalks, and root can be eaten. It can be used as a vegetarian source of enzymes for cheese production. Cardoon is often blanched for 3-4 weeks before harvest to improve the flavor and tenderness of it's stalks. To blanch, tie the leaves together in a bunch and wrap paper or burlap around the stems to 45cm high. Cardoon cultivars such as the Globe artichoke are taller and less spiny.
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