Sunchokes
This knobby tuber is related to sunflowers and are available almost year round. They cook up just like a potato but nuttier and so nutritious!
Also known as Jerusalem Artichoke, sunchokes have nothing to do with Jerusalem or artichokes. Sunchokes are native throughout the Americas and are related to sunflowers. They're available almost all year round and are reliably tasty & easy to cook. These knobby tubers look like ginger but cook up like a potato. They've got a more nutty and earthy flavor AND it's packed with fiber, nutrients and inulin which helps regulate blood sugar. They're super easy to roast like potatoes with oil, salt and pepper but also wonderful as a pureed soup or fried into sunchoke chips. Just give em' a good scrub if they're dirty, no need to peel. Just make sure to cook them till fully tender - if they're undercooked they become hard to digest.
Flavor profile: Nutty and earthy flavor, almost like an artichoke-heart flavored potato
Uses: Use sunchokes just like you would potatoes. Roast them, puree them into a soup, fry them into chips. Add them to your breakfast hash for extra nutrition!
Storage: Sunchokes store well if they are kept cool and moist and away from light. Gently brush off any dirt without washing them. Store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer or in a cool, dark place like a cellar or pantry in a plastic bag. Sunchokes can last for up to two weeks when stored properly.
Other names: Sunchokes are also called Jerusalem Artichoke even though they have no relationship to the Middle East or artichokes! Sunchokes are native to the Americas.
Nutrients: Sunchokes are full inulin, a blood-sugar regulating fiber that is so good for us. They share these nutritive benefits of other roots in the Aster family including salsify and dandelion root, only without the bitter compounds
Why it's a great crop: Sunchokes are a perennial tuber meaning you only have to plant them once.They are known for their rapid growth rate, allowing for a plentiful harvest in a relatively short time. Furthermore, they are low-maintenance, requiring little attention once established, making them an ideal choice for both beginner gardeners.
