[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

talking to a farmers market person.

you look for the freshest looking cut end of the stem..and you pinch a leaf on the thistle and bend it back. if it snaps cleanly it is good to go. if it bends and doesnt snap, move on.

Originally Posted by javadog

Look for one that has the petals closed tightly. Don’t buy them if this is not the case.

Better ones meet that criteria and also are dark green, have thick petals and feel heavy for their weight compared to others.

Plus, what Vash said. He’s close to the source, so his will be fresh. You, living out in the middle of nowhere, will have to be aware of older ones.

Originally Posted by craigster59

All I know is the best artichokes I've ever had were ones that I bought from a roadside in Castroville. They might have been picked that day or the day before.

Cooked them right when we got home and they had intense flavor and very tender.

Thanks, Gents!