This is so cool; who knew artichokes, Marilyn Monroe and the Mafia could all be used in the same sentence haha I had absolutely no idea about any of this! I had no idea they look like a thistle if you let them flower! I'm assuming my father doesn't like artichokes, because I never had them growing up; I've learned over the years that my mom cooked only the things that my dad liked :)
I love the image of your family, sitting around the table, talking and taking the time to eat and enjoy artichokes! Of all things!! I don't know how old your daughter is, but artichokes generally aren't a 'kid' food...I find that interesting as well:) My family is European, so I'm familiar with 'family time around the table'...it really is a lost art in most households I think. Very sad when you think about it!
Do artichokes have a relatively short season then? Because your post paints such a splendid picture; it makes me think it's something you and your family all really look forward to each year! On the farm where I grew up, we planted Spanish onions, and their season lasted about two weeks, but my mom during those two weeks, used to make the best homemade onion rings I have ever, to this day, ever tasted from those onions. Perhaps there's some nostalgia attached to that as well :)
Thank you for an awesome post! Cheers ;)