Inspirational Jerusalem Artichoke Madness !!!

The time has come to find all the facts you may ever need around the existence of the most radical of vegetables... the Jerusalem artichoke!

Funnily enough, the Jerusalem artichoke has no relation to Jerusalem and isn’t an artichoke… It is a tuber, the root of a type of sunflower. Originally it is from North America, where it is usually called a sunchoke.

Jerusalem artichoke was introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 17th century.

Jerusalem artichokes produce a stem which can grow to between 5 and 15ft.

These tubers look like ginger roots and can be 3-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide.

They have a white flesh and light brown skin which is has a red, yellow or purple tinge.

Did you know Jerusalem artichokes produce golden yellow flower heads which look like mini sunflowers?!

They also produce a fruit which is a small, dark coloured, wedge-shaped seed.

It contains a range of dietary fibres, vitamins A, C and E as well as potassium, iron and copper.

Jerusalem artichokes contain a carbohydrate called inulin which can’t be utilised by the body for energy and cannot be absorbed. This satisfies hunger without increasing the blood sugar levels in your body. Interesting…

These little fellas can be eaten raw or cooked and has a warm, nutty taste which is a little sweet.

They can be used as a substitute for potatoes, you can chip and mash them in the same way.

In folk medicine they are used as a treatment for diabetes.

Top tip: Jerusalem artichokes discolour quickly so after cutting immerse them in water with lemon juice until cooking!