Artichokes are the unopened flowers and stems of a kind of thistle.
At the center is the heart, the choicest portion of the artichoke, covered by the choke, a hairy pad that should be peeled off and discarded. Their peak season is early summer. Broccoli is tasty, good for you, and easy to cook. The florets can be steamed or boiled and served as a side dish, or served raw on a crudit platter, or stir-fried. The stems are good, too, but you should peel them first and cook them a little longer.