CARDOON

60 days. Grown for its thick, fleshy stalks, it has a mild flavor reminiscent of artichoke hearts that lends itself to boundless culinary opportunities. Braised and topped with a cheese sauce, slow-cooked in a stew, or cut into sticks and deep-fried, this extraordinary vegetable can integrate into any meal. Typically growing to about 42 inches tall, it will perennialize in zones 7 and warmer, producing for 6–7 years and reaching a final height of 6–8 feet. Approximately 20-25 seeds per gram.