To prepare the artichokes
wash and trim the tough stems off the bottoms and remove any loose leaves.

To cook the artichokes
either simmer them in a large amount of slowly boiling salted water for 20-25 minutes or steam them in an inch of water (covered) for 35-40 mintes. Either way, drain the artichokes upside down for a minute.

To eat the artichokes
pull one leaf off at a time, dip pale end in some sauce (see below), turn the leaf upside down, place in mouth, and draw the leaf through your teeth. Only the fleshy end will come off with this method and that's exactly what you want to eat, the nutritious, white, fleshy ends. After a while of eating this way, you will discover the leaves getting smaller and paler. Under these leaves you will find the fuzzy hairs of the artichoke heart. Simply scoop out the hairy part and continue to eat the heart lying (and waiting for you) below it.