Cardoon and fence

HFF everyone (the fence is there in the background ... just visible!)
Cardoons are edible but I don't recall ever eating them in England (I do know they were popular in the middle ages and later). I guess they must have some similarity to their cousin the artichoke. They are eaten here these days in Spain; but I'm not sure what part of the plant is eaten nor how it's cooked. I suppose I should Google it. I'll report back later!
Got it! It's the stems of the leaves that are blanched and the end result is a little bit like braised celery (apparantly) www.youtube.com/watch?v=twVdHnc_IM8
Another roadside find.
Latest info Actually more likely to be MILK THISTLE, but very closely related to Cardoon and the French even call it Chardon Marie.

micritter, Gabi Lombardo, Nouchetdu38, Holger Hagen and 65 other people have particularly liked this photo

103 comments - The latest ones

Xata ^club

They are also used as "coajo" to make cheese... HFF Andy

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Xata ^club

I would love to see the process and try the cheese, Isabel!

4 years ago.

Xata ^club has replied to Andy Rodker ^club

Found this, just use the translator.... shalomnature.pt/cardo-do-coalho

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Xata ^club

Yes. Thank you, Isabel. It seems that cardoons come in many shapes and sizes!!!
Please bring some of the cheese with you when you visit!

4 years ago.

Xata ^club has replied to Andy Rodker ^club

I will !

4 years ago.

Malik Raoulda ^club

La beauté du chardon est inégalée ..!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Malik Raoulda ^club

I haven't eaten chardons in France, either! Thank you, Malik!

4 years ago.

Peter Castell ^club

A few people grow them but they are a novelty

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Peter Castell ^club

They grow everywhere here on any untended piece of ground, especially building sites and roadsides, where the local council hasn't obliterated everything with DDT or the modern equivalent.
Thank you, Peter!

4 years ago.

HappySnapper

Great find Andy, I have only seen these or similar growing wild and always seem to be populated by Burnet moths. Thanks for posting in Project 21.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to HappySnapper

They were crowded with bees, Maurice and I'm surprised that not one bee has had its 15 minutes (OK, a nanosecond!) of fame!
Many thanks!

4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.

Jenny McIntyre ^club

Wow, I've never seen this plant before and I don't think I'd be daring enough to try to eat it. I'll just take your word for it. It's very attractive though.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Jenny McIntyre ^club

Watch the link to see what you do with it, Jenny - it's all in the stalks, not the spiny head!!!! Many thanks!

4 years ago.

Annalia S. ^club

They are eaten in Italy too and quite delicious! My mother boiled them first then finished cooking them in milk. Downside ... cleaning entails removing the tough strings along the stems, a painstaking, time consuming process.
A really nice specimen here, Andy. I love their bright coloured blooms!

HFF!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Annalia S. ^club

I now know it's only available fresh in winter. I might try and look for it preserved in jars. I know it is available in Madrid because it can form part of the famous Cocido Madrileno.

4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.

Annalia S. ^club has replied to Andy Rodker ^club

Yes, they are winter produce, like artichokes. I have never tried the canned stuff but somehow ... I doubt they would stand up to the fresh stuff ...

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Annalia S. ^club

I looked at the stuff in jars and it didn't look particularly appetising. I will wait until I have a chance to try the fresh stuff next winter!

4 years ago.

José Manuel Polo ^club

Me gusta la macro, quedó muy bien el cardo, aunque yo no lo he comido nunca. HFF

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to José Manuel Polo ^club

Thank you Jose Manuel (sorry, my phone doesn't have accents on letters). I didn't know, but it's still eaten in Madrid as part of the Cocido Madrileno.

4 years ago.

Percy Schramm ^club

Great find and a fantastic capture. HFF and Happy Easter, Andy !

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Percy Schramm ^club

Many thanks, Percy!

4 years ago.

Christa1004 ^club

I didn't know that cardoons are edible, but here you see clearly that it must be cousins from artichokes... HFF Andy.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Christa1004 ^club

Indeed they are. Thank you, Christa!

4 years ago.

William Sutherland ^club

Exquisite capture! Stay well!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to William Sutherland ^club

Many thanks, William.

4 years ago.

tiabunna ^club

This makes a great colourful close-up, Andy. HFF and best wishes for the Easter weekend.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to tiabunna ^club

Thank you George!

4 years ago.

Sami Serola (inactiv… ^club

Wikipedia article in English pretty much tells all about it:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardoon

Never heard before. But seem to be cultivated also up here.

4 years ago.

Steve Paxton ^club has replied to Sami Serola (inactiv… ^club

Thanks I saw you link , not one I have ever heard of.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Sami Serola (inactiv… ^club

Thank you, Sami. Useful article!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Steve Paxton ^club

Thank you, Steve! Sami had provided the Wiki link above.

4 years ago.

Steve Paxton ^club

Not some thing I have ever heard off one I will look up, HFF hope your easter goes well.

4 years ago.

Wierd Folkersma ^club

lovely flower, HFF!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Wierd Folkersma ^club

Thank you, Wierd!

4 years ago.

Erhard Bernstein ^club

HFF Andy - the flower ist wonderful!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Erhard Bernstein ^club

Many thanks, Erhard!

4 years ago.

Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Awesome floral close-up Andy.
Happy (and healthy) FF

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Jaap van 't Veen ^club

Thank you, Jaap!

4 years ago.

Pam J ^club

REMINDS ME OF A THISTLE !

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Pam J ^club

SAME FAMILY AS THISTLES AND ARTICHOKES, PAM!!

4 years ago.

Doug Shepherd ^club

Nice shot Andy, great colours. See plenty around here but did not know they were a source of food, but why not!

HFF and a Happy Healthy Easter

4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Doug Shepherd ^club

If it wasn't for the fact that I read histories of these things, neither would I have done, Doug! Happy Easter to you too!

4 years ago.

Annaig56 ^club

H F F

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Annaig56 ^club

Thank you, Annick!

4 years ago.

Annemarie ^club

HFF and happy Easter :)

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Annemarie ^club

Many thanks, Annemarie!

4 years ago.

FarbFormFreude ^club

HFF!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to FarbFormFreude ^club

Thank you, Franz!

4 years ago.

gezginruh ^club

Wonderful colours and great work,Andy!

HFF and have a nice Easter weekend! Stay safe!

Best wishes
Füsun

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to gezginruh ^club

Thank you, Füsun and the same to you!

4 years ago.

©UdoSm ^club

Beautiful...

4 years ago.

Marie-claire Gallet

WOWWWWWWWW, gorgeous close-up with a wonderful light, Andy !! HFF and a happy Easter week-end ahead !

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club

Udo,
Marie-claire,
HFF and Happy Easter to you both!

4 years ago.

Jocelyne Villoing ^club

Il est superbe, il vaut mieux le laisser dans la nature... non !***************
Bon WE Andy.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Jocelyne Villoing ^club

I think these are the wild ones and so not the cultivated variety which look a bit different anyway! Thank you, Jocelyne!

4 years ago.

Stefani Wehner ^club

Gorgeous floral, Andy!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Stefani Wehner ^club

Thank you, Stefani!

4 years ago.

Roger (Grisly) ^club

Terrific detail and a superb capture Andy
HFF and a good Easter weekend.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Roger (Grisly) ^club

Many thanks, Roger and the same to you too!

4 years ago.

Gudrun ^club

It looks great as a flower:-) Not sure about the hassle preparing it as a meal;-) HFF, Andy, happy Easter!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Gudrun ^club

My thoughts exactly, Gudrun! Happy Easter to you too!

4 years ago.

╰☆☆June☆☆╮ ^club

Good work, have a nice day my friend .

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to ╰☆☆June☆☆╮ ^club

Thank you, June!

4 years ago.

Herb Riddle ^club

That's no fence -I believe it is a spiders web :) Nice plant (of sorts) too. Well done.

HFF, have safe and Happy Easter. Herb

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Herb Riddle ^club

Then a spider's web that looks like a wire fence, Herb! :o))
Thank you and Happy Easter to you too!

4 years ago.

Nora Caracci ^club

beautiful close up !
HFF !!!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Nora Caracci ^club

Thank you, Nora!

4 years ago.

J.Garcia ^club

Wonderful crown of thorns!
HFF also to you, Andy!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to J.Garcia ^club

Thank you, Judite!

4 years ago.

Erika+Manfred ^club

Sehr schön präsentiert, und den Zaun muss man wirklich suchen ;-))
Schöne Ostern und bleibt gesund.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Erika+Manfred ^club

Well the fence was quite ugly so I was pleased to present only the merest suspicion of it! Thank you, Erika+Manfred!

4 years ago.

David G Johnson ^club

Looks delicious Andy.. I'll fry a couple... with chips... // Keep well and have 'HFF' Cheers from Dj.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to David G Johnson ^club

I think they need a lot more preparation that that, Dave! Many thanks

4 years ago.

Ulrich John ^club

Never seen this before. Looks beautiful and the text interesting, Andy. HFF and a very nice Easter weekend for you !

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Ulrich John ^club

Thank you, Ulrich. One day I might even have a meal with them!

4 years ago.

Berny ^club

HFF and a happy Easter-time, Andy!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Berny ^club

Many thanks, Berny!

4 years ago.

trester88 ^club

Ich mag diese Blüte, und die Insekten mögen sie auch.
HFF, Andy, und schöne Osterfeiertage!

4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to trester88 ^club

I saw many insects and thought I would capture more than one but alas ... they all flew away at the wrong time! Many thanks and Happy Easter, Wilhelm!

4 years ago.

Keith Burton ^club

HFF to you Andy. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend...........and above all, stay safe!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Keith Burton ^club

MAny thanks, Keith!

4 years ago.

RHH ^club

Very interesting information, Andy. I've had artichokes, of course, which are a kind of thistle, but did not know these were edible.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to RHH ^club

Apparently they were common in Britain until the 19th century and still are in parts of Southern Europe. Many thanks, Ron!

4 years ago.

TOZ ^club

Nice find Andy.
HFF have a great weekend
TOZ

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to TOZ ^club

Many thanks, Gordon!

4 years ago.

Denis Croissant ^club

First heard of these on the Two Fat Ladies 1990s cookery show....never eaten them though...sticking to asparagus tonight!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Denis Croissant ^club

We're getting the best of the asparagus right now, it's a couple of months ahead of the English season. So that will be me for supper tinight too! I rememebr the Two Fat Ladies as if it were yesterday. Was it really that long ago? Mind you I've not seen any telly in th UK for over 10 years so I am probably a bit out of sync where tv is concerned!

4 years ago.

Ruesterstaude ^club

Schön und interessant, Andy!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club

Thank you, Volker!

4 years ago.

Leo W ^club

Diese Distel ist aber auch sehenswert.

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Leo W ^club

Thank you, Leo!

4 years ago.

Peter_Private_Box ^club

Hi Andy
A very nice picture, which I like very much!
I did find the wire mesh fence in the background!!
Great purple colours too
Best Wishes, HFF, a happy Easter, and stay safe!!
Peter

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Peter_Private_Box ^club

Well found (the fence that is), Peter!
All best wishes to you too for Easter.
Andy

4 years ago.

Dimas Sequeira ^club

Impressive cardoon closeup! Belated HFF and Happy Easter, Andy!

4 years ago.

Diana Australis ^club

HFF Andy, and Happy Easter too! Stay well.
Love this!

4 years ago.

cp_u ^club

how beautiful

4 years ago.

Bergfex ^club

Ein perfektes Close-Up

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club

Diana,
Dina's,
Claus-Peter,
Bernard,
Very many thanks!

4 years ago.

Rosalyn Hilborne

A very pretty picture Andy.
No good for me to eat as I don't like celery!
A belated HFF!

4 years ago.

Andy Rodker ^club has replied to Rosalyn Hilborne

No sure what it tastes like, Rosa - maybe, or maybe not, celery! I'll let you know if ever I taste it!

4 years ago.

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