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What does the lemon do for the vine leaves?

Actually it is just a way to hold them in place in case of wind. Some others put a small rock or a part of any vegetable that they have. But the lemons looked nicer for the picture :)

And why would one peel away the leaves?? That's the fun part of eating an artichoke!

Haha, I agree with you but it looks like that the housewives around here are a bit lazy :)