Grow Your Own Magazine

I planted some artichokes back in May. They have been doing pretty well. Today I noticed that one appears to be producing a fruit (is that the correct term ).

I thought that they would only fruit the second year. Should I be removing it or can my OH and I start the fight over who gets to eat it?

My veg 'expert' book says that 'a few small heads will begin to form in the first year. Do not let them develop - cut off immediately and discard.' It goes on to say that in the second year you should remove the first head that forms when it is green and swollen but still unopened, this allows the secondary heads to form which you eat.
That said, I would try to ask someone who has grown them before I committed myself to decapitation. Hopefully some other grape will know.

Thanks for the blackkitty, bit of a shame as I can't wait to eat them .