[Swing Swang]

I grew some globe artichokes from seed (sown Feb 09) and they're now taking over like triffids. One of them is very vigorous and is producing spikey globes, the others are true to type.

Is it worthwhile keeping Mr Spikey (and be very careful when harvesting/preparing) - will he taste any good, or do I compost him and fill the gap with offsets as they become available?

Regards,

SS

[PennyS]

I grew some globe artichokes from seed (sown Feb 09) and they're now taking over like triffids. One of them is very vigorous and is producing spikey globes, the others are true to type.

Is it worthwhile keeping Mr Spikey (and be very careful when harvesting/preparing) - will he taste any good, or do I compost him and fill the gap with offsets as they become available?

Regards,

SS

How do you mean spiky, any chance of a photo?  They can feel quite spikey when they are growing...

[Swing Swang]

Pictures (note aphid attack!):

The spikey one:


The normal one:


The spikey one is the second from the left, the other three are all 'normal'.

[mumofstig]

Googled 'spikey artichokes' and they appear to be very common, and taste no different.
They just say cut of spikes before trying to cook them....makes sense 

[PennyS]

Ah, they look fine.
Mine often look like that!  When I cook them I always trim the spikey bits off,
like this http://vegbox-recipes.co.uk/image-files/trimmed-globe-artichoke-200.gif