Everwilde Farms - 1/4 lb Purple Romagna Artichoke Seeds - Gold Vault Bulk Seed Packet

A favorite of chefs, this Italian Artichoke grows large-hearted heads that vary in color from green to purple, and are valued for their tenderness and beautiful appearance. The plants grow fairly tall with edible flower buds, known as chokes that are 3 or 4 inches in diameter, which can be harvested in the second season. According to historians, this member of the thistle family originated in the Mediterranean region and was especially popular in Sicilian and North African cuisine. Eventually the artichoke migrated to Italy, and when the famous Italian Catherine de Medici moved to France in 1533 to be the queen of Henry II, she took her passion for artichokes with her. Her appetite for this vegetable scandalized the people of her day, as the artichoke was considered an aphrodisiac and only eaten by men. In time, artichokes became a culinary delight only afforded by the elite. The French brought this vegetable to Louisiana, while the Spanish introduced it to California. California still produces nearly all of the United States' supply of artichokes, with Castroville, CA being named as the Artichoke Capital of the World