Intricate and interesting, slightly reminiscent of the hens and chickens plants in my mother's garden, that I would "peel" and "prepare" for my dolls as I played house. From a young age, I thought artichokes looked "weird". Not a "pretty" vegetable as vegetables go and there would never have been an occasion when my mother would have purchased one, never mind serve one that had been marinated in oil as an antipasto. I came from a home that survived on meat and potatoes, simple fare, nothing "exotic" or "daring". I taught myself about "exotic" and "daring" foods...the hens and chickens were only the beginning.
I enjoy dishes that are made with artichokes, especially a dip that is blended with asiago cheese. But until the other day, I had never purchased an artichoke. I saw them on the stall, suddenly realized that I liked how they looked and plopped 3 in my cart ... I now have several recipes and will experiment with discovering what I enjoy best about cooking with them. And even if I never cook with them, I'm just happy I bought them, and I'm enjoying how they look in my lovely white bowl.
