I’ve written about the wondrous cantaloupes we’re having this season, but last night I got burned by some artichokes.
I’d gone to a grocery that featured the largest and most perfectly-formed artichokes I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately I didn’t think to take a photo, but these babies were spectacular, round and firm and fully packed. I’m an artichoke fan and hadn’t had any in a long while, and usually they’re very expensive, but these were modestly priced as well. It seemed a no-brainer to buy them.
I took them home and cooked them. And then I cooked them some more. First I tried my usual method, steaming, but after an entire hour and a quarter they were only about half done, so I resorted to the full plunge and boil. After another hour they were ready, but eating one of them taught me that greed is not always rewarded.
It was exceedingly mediocre in taste and a strange combination of tough and overcooked, although indeed extraordinarily large. I’ve learned my lesson and taken a solemn vow: no more oversized artichokes. And as a public service, I’m doing penance by warning you all.
Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely 
July 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Sounds rather like zucchini.
July 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Neo:
Trust my Italian Grandmother. Romans – the SPQR types like her – wrap their artichokes in cheesecloth and immerse in rolling boiling water for about half hour.
Secret is to remove a layer or three of the tough outer leaves. After a while you can tell when you hit the tender ones!
And the artichoke heart is the best of all…dress in vinaigrette while the choke is still warm. Enjoy at room temperature: you taste all the flavors that way.
Mange Bene, Bambina!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Unfortunately, the side effects of size in artichokes tend to be woodiness, as you found. As long as there’s adequate conditions to keep pace with sugar production, most fruits can keep getting larger without appreciable taste consequences, but for most vegetables that’s not really the case…
Baby artichokes have their own market for a reason.