Artichoke Experts: need your help!

It's artichoke season, and these delicious vegetables have arrived at my supermarket.  I want to make sure I'm getting a good deal, so what size of artichoke should I be looking for, and what price would be considered to be a good deal?

Weird! Where are you? For me, artichokes are a total spring vegetable!

So the only ones I usually see in the supermarkets around here (Arizona) are the giant globe varieties - about the size of a softball. They typically go for $1.50 - $3.00 - expensive, unfortunately. I got lucky this year, as my CSA grew tons of them, and not everyone likes them so I got extras :D

Occasionally I'll see baby artichokes for sale, but they tend to be even more expensive. I'd say that if you can get them for a buck or two each, you're doing okay in terms of price. It seems like a lot for a vegetable, but on the other hand, they take so long to eat, and are so tasty, that maybe it's not such a bad price after all.

I live in California :D  The softball-sized artichokes really are $2, so I guess I'll go have a shot with them next week when a fresh batch arrive :D

Thanks for the advice!

The medium sized are the best ones.  Pick the ones that are not really tightly closed nor are they really open.  I like to steam mine with a little vinegar in the water...yummy.