Artichokes

I've always wondered why anyone would look at an artichoke and think it would be something good to eat.

 

 

 

Just looking at this plant, you have to wonder why someone would think to eat it.  At least I do.

 

 This website has some interesting history including the Greek legend as does this one.  Interestingly, it is not a vegetable, but rather a thistle, although according to the strictest definition, the edible part of the plant is a bud of the flower, so that the artichoke could be called a fruit.  There could be a whole discussion about what makes a fruit a fruit and a vegetable a vegetable.  Perhaps another day......