CHAP. XXIII. (Book 23)
Of such Fruits of the Garden as are nourishing. (Book 23)
A Atichokes grew sometimes onely in the Isle of Si∣cil; and since my remembrance they were so dain∣ty in England, that usually they were sold for crownes a peice: now industry and skill hath made them so com∣mon, that the poorest man is possessed of Princes dainties. Julius Capitolinus in the life of Pertinax, and Pliny like∣wise in the 19 book of his natural History, reports Ar∣tichokes to have been of such estimation in Carthage and Corduba, that there were sold as many Artichokes in one year, as came to six thousand Sesterties, which maketh thirty thousand pound Sterling. The first sprouts of Artichoke-leavs being sod in good broth with butter, * 1.1do not onely nourish, but also mightily stir up lust of the body both in men and women: the young heads of them eaten raw with pepper and salt do the like; but the great heads being once come to perfection, howsoever they are counted windy & hard of digestion, fuming up to the head, and burdensom to the stomach: yet certain it is that they are of great nourishment being well prepared. Some * 1.2boil them in fat poudred beefe broth till they be tender, and then eat them with vinegar, pepper, sugar, butter, and salt. Others having parboiled them a little, take the pulpy