What is a Jerusalem Artichoke?
Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, is also known as “sunroot” or “sunchoke.” It is celebrated as the ultimate prepper food and a great plant to incorporate into a permaculture. This hardy, perennial root vegetablegrows up to 6 feet tall. In late August to early September these relatives to the sunflower are covered in 2 inch cheerfully bright and yellow flowers. Possessing these sunny flowers makes Jerusalem Artichoke attractive to bees, they are known to provide pollen to many different types of bees. Epic Gardening stated the flowers “smell like vanilla chocolate.” Jerusalem Artichokes have thick, ginger-like tubers which you harvest in the fall and can eat. These plants are very prolific and spread easily.
How do you eat Jerusalem Artichoke?
They can be cooked like a potato either roasted, sauteed, fried, baked, mashed, boiled, or eaten raw with a flavor and crunch similar to water chestnuts. They can also be pickled and put in soups.
Are Jerusalem Artichokes good for you?
Jerusalem Artichokes (“Sunchokes”) provide you with a good source of potassium and iron. Although they are moderately high in calories they are low in fat and are cholesterol free. They contain dietary fiber and antioxidants, in addition to small portions of minerals and vitamins. One said, “If you or someone you care about happens to be diabetic, learning how to grow a Jerusalem artichoke can be a labor of love. Rather than carbohydrates, the tubers contain inulin that breaks down during digestion into fructose, which is preferable to glucose.“
What to do with the flowers from Jerusalem Artichokes (“Sunchokes”)?
To promote the growth of the tuber you can cut the flowers and enjoy them in a vase of water. You can also dry the stalks and feed them to livestock.
Members of Project FarmSTAND can now buy the Jerusalem Artichoke plants through our online store. Non members can buy these plants at our booth at the Eaton Rapids Farmers Market.Sources Cited:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/jerusalem-artichokes/growing-jerusalem-artichokes.htm
https://www.farmerfoodshare.org/jerusalem-artichokes/
https://www.epicgardening.com/jerusalem-artichoke-plant/
https://www.gardenbetty.com/jerusalem-artichokes-sunchokes/
