Artichokes are in season. We have recipes

What’s in season: If you’ve never tackled an artichoke before, it can come across as more than a little intimidating. Artichokes are edible thistles with tough, thorny exteriors that require time and patience to prepare. But the results are worth it — there’s a reason why they’ve been prized since Roman times for their rich, buttery flavor. The vegetable comes in a variety of shapes and sizes; a single plant can produce one or two massive chokes, in addition to some medium and a larger number of “baby” thistles. Artichokes are generally available from spring through early summer, along with a short stint in the fall.

Steamed, roasted, braised and stewed: 12 great recipes for artichokes >>

What to cook: Larger artichokes are traditionally steamed or boiled whole, then served alongside aioli or drawn butter. But invest a little more work — peel away the outer leaves, tough skin and fuzzy choke to reveal the “heart” — and add to pasta, paella or a spring vegetable stew. Baby artichokes are much smaller and generally more tender; sauté the vegetables in olive oil and garlic with a little water, or shave them and toss raw slices with a salad.

What’s on the horizon: Mounds of English peas are showing up at stands and, a sure sign summer is just around the corner, zucchini and other summer squash are just beginning to make an appearance.

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noelle.carter@latimes.com

@noellecarter