Honoring the Artichoke

For me, gardening is comforting, especially in difficult times. Pulling weeds is cathartic for me -- as if I could clear out threats to democracy. Gardening is a matter of trowel and error. Add a shovel, hoe, rake, and lots of bending over. You might get something beautiful or delicious. Or both.

We live in a perfect climate for artichokes, but Portugal has not embraced this noble delicacy of Italy and France. So we must grow our own. I know, I know, this vegetable is weird. But if you love artichokes, imagine the joy of harvesting a budding flower just an hour before dinner.

Every time you eat an artichoke, you're dining on something the ancient Roman nobility used to keep for its own exclusive enjoyment. Artichokes are the unopened flower buds of a large plant in the thistle family that typically produces stalks with one large artichoke on the end and several smaller artichokes below it.

Two years ago, we searched for artichoke “starts” at many nurseries, farm stores, and online. We drove for hours to several Sunday-only regional farmers’ markets – the original shopping malls. These enormous markets can provide an entire day of entertainment and miles of walking. Here you can get live chickens and pigs, vinyl LPs, furniture, fruit trees, cooking utensils, pet food, hardware, appliances, toys, and even underwear.

We finally managed to find three little purple artichoke plants to tend for a year before the first bud might appear. Waiting a year for a little food can be foolish. Or an act of hope.

One artichoke plant. The back of our landlady's house on the left.

The three little plants grew to five feet across. One was covered in 1.5-inch spikes, so I ripped it out. No artichoke is worth bloody arms. The other two plants started producing last year; one gave almost 40 of the most tender artichokes ever to reach my lips.  And there is no thistle inside! We can eat the entire choke (except for the tips). This is amazing to me. Both plants are already delivering excellent yields this season.

Purple artichokes turn green when steamed.

Have you ever taught someone to how to eat an artichoke? It’s an adventurous person willing to try this weird food.  We served artichokes to our Portuguese neighbors, and they liked the taste and experience. Together we are experimenting with various sauces: curry, chipotle mayonnaise, melted butter with garlic, and regular mayonnaise.

May you find comfort in delicious food, warm friendships, steadfast nature, beautiful art, and random acts of kindness. We need one another in difficult times. Just Imagine All the People…

Love from Tim and Penelope

Photo with our friend Kelly who came to a party as the Easter Bunny. Looks like we are the Pink People!