Sunny Sunchokes

Sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus), also called Jerusalem Artichokes, are one of those love-it-hate-it type of plants. However, it is one of the only starch sources perennial in all zones. The reason it gets a bad rap is the same reason it’s so hardy–it get invasive, fast. It loves full sun but will still produce decent sized tubers in the shade–which is where I keep mine, on the north side of the house, contained in an area flanked by concrete in the hopes that I can contain them.

I like them very much because they make beautiful flower arrangements too–they are a species of sunflower (getting 10ft+ high), and nothing says cheerful like a vaseful on my dining table. If kept in shady areas, they won’t flower, so that’s the particular trade off if you want them manageable. I’m tempted to do a raised bed of them where the sun shines, which might solve the containment problem and my desire to have flowers as well.

Keeping it in loose, well draining and even sandy soil will make harvesting it much easier. They can be eaten raw, and has, oddly, a ginger flavor which gives rise to its Chinese name–Yang Jiang, meaning Sun Ginger. Asians tend to pickle them as a crunchy treat, but they can be used in any way potatoes are used.

If you notice them invading places you don’t want them to be in, pull in early spring and keep pulling until the tuber they’re coming from depletes its nutrient sources. The other things you can do is try to trace it to the tuber.

When collecting them, it’s best to follow the thin roots to the tubers which can run two or three feet away from the plant itself. I like to use a small hand shovel because I’m not collecting that many at once, but if you are, a garden fork or a large shovel would be ideal in reaching the ones deeper in the soil. Collecting them after the first frost makes them sweet, but they can be harvested any time after the tops start to wilt.

I like to roast them until they are creamy and sweet, paired with steak and some greens, it makes for a wonderful side dish during those crisp autumn days. As a word of warning: Some people get gassy/diarrhea when they eat them because they can’t digest the starches, but I haven’t had any issues with them. Some will say to avoid such an issue, it’s best to take off the skin. However, for someone with constipation though… it might just be the natural answer to get things moving.

Recipes with Sunchokes
Oven Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes