Sunchokes
Otherwise known as Jerusalem Artichokes, we don’t use this name because they are neither from Jerusalem nor artichokes! Sunchokes are related to sunflowers and have tall stems with tiny yellow sunflowers which bloom in late October. The ‘Jerusalem’ part of the common name is a mis-understanding of the word ‘Girasol’ which means sunflower in Spanish and Italian.
By early November the plants have died back and it is time to dig around beneath them for their sweet tasting tubers. They can be sliced thinly and eaten raw, stir fried (they taste like water chestnuts) or cooked with potatoes, butter and black pepper to make a delicious cream soup.
They are great for diabetics and the weight conscious because they are very low calorie and contain inulin instead of sugar. They do have an amusing side effect, similar to that of beans however, so are best not eaten the day before an important interview!
This year we decided not to sell any because we want to expand on our patch for next year. David has been busy digging up the few plants behind the greenhouse and replanting them so that we can enjoy them next fall. Most plants we ‘rotate’ around the farm to break disease and pest cycles, but Sunchokes have neither and will come back year after year even when you are sure that you have removed every single root (you haven’t!) so are best left in the same spot, far away from your other veggies!
Tags: Sunchokes