Actually we just skinned them, sliced them lengthwise, cut out the woody core, and ate them like cucumber spears. I have a strong gut and am not bothered by extremely bitter things but most everyone else was pretty repulsed by the entire affaire. I prefer them that way, no matter what you do (the boiling, etc. . . ) you'll still end up with a bitter, kinda gross mess of stuff to eat. Might as well just pop it down.
