One reason I love spring so much is because possibly my favorite vegetable of all (just barely ahead of asparagus), the artichoke, is entering peak volume from Castroville, CA, which I think grows the best “chokes” anywhere. Volume is increasing and hopefully your favorite retail store will be having specials on artichokes no later than early May.
I love ’em any way they are prepared, but since I’m a pretty simple guy, and a lousy cook, I simply cut off the stem, place in it a bowl with perhaps a tablespoon of water, cover it with saran wrap, stick it the microwave and cook it for several minutes (depending on the size). Then I melt some butter to dip the leaves in, before scrapping the flesh off the leaves with my teeth. yum, yum.
There’s also countless other great ways to prepare “chokes.” Just go online and google in artichokes, or Ocean Mist Artichokes, which is the biggest grower of the product, located in Castroville.
Enjoy.