cardoon

[ kahr-doon ]

noun

1. a composite plant, Cynara cardunculus, of the Mediterranean area, having a root and leafstalks eaten as a vegetable.

cardoon

/ kɑːˈduːn /

noun

1. a thistle-like S European plant, Cynara cardunculus, closely related to the artichoke, with spiny leaves, purple flowers, and a leafstalk that may be blanched and eaten: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardoon¹

1605–15; < Middle French cardon < Old Provençal < Medieval Latin cardōn-, stem of cardō, for Latin card ( u ) us thistle, cardoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardoon¹

C17: from French cardon, ultimately from Latin carduus thistle, artichoke

Example Sentences

Lettuces, shishito peppers and cardoons are a given.

From Washington Post

All those rambling sweet peas make me furious; yes, Tristram, it is a handsome cardoon bed, but some of us are struggling to find space for a single extra lettuce.

From The New Yorker

I forgo the usual post-boil deep-fry but keep their flavors local, marinating the cooked cardoons in a simple Sicilian-inspired vinaigrette of orange juice and olive oil.

From Los Angeles Times

A type of king mushroom from Apulia in Southern Italy, called cardoncello because it flourishes near fields of cardoons, is the specialty of this new Italian restaurant.

From New York Times

Dinner takes the traditional bistro menu in some challenging directions, with foie gras toast, pigs’ foot croquettes, watercress soup, Peconic snails with scrambled eggs, sweetbreads, rabbit stew and a gratin of cardoons.

From New York Times