Has anyone any experience with growing cardoons?
If so, did you eat them and how did you prepare them?

My, My Deborah!

I haven't spoken about these in ages! May I suggest a website for some information and recipes? (As per part of your question)

http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0327.htm

Relative to the Artichoke, cardoon stalks can be eaten raw, fried, pureed or boiled in my experience.

Oooh... And this website will be perfect for your growing question:

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/cgi-bin/catview.cgi?_fn=Product&_category=116

Good Luck!

Thanks, Shanbear-the Kitchen Garden Seeds is a good site, I bookmarked it.
If I do cardoons it would be only as a curiosity.
A fun ornamental sometime.