She did, however, pursue her passion for writing as a freelance contributor to the Register as well as to numerous magazines including Better Homes and Gardens and Mature Outlook. Taught Me to Eat Artichokes , the central figure keeps ignoring artichokes in favor of lettuce, tomatoes and green beans when she is shopping. It's been said that women have women friends and that men have men buddies. Not all friendships remain healthy. Obviously, it's not possible to become friends with every person you meet.
Some people have one friend upon whom they can call, no matter what.
In the end, the artichoke served as a metaphor for friendship. But in the beginning, it served as a barrier. In the book, the author makes a point of saying that it takes time for a true friendship to develop. But time is one commodity of which women are in short supply.