About Jerusalem Artichokes or Sunchokes:

Where did the name come from? One theory holds Jerusalem is a corruption of the Italian girasola, meaning "turning toward the sun," a reference to the sunflower. Another theory involves another garbling of the Ter Neusen, Netherlands area where the sunchoke was originally introduced to Europe. Today, you will find them marketed under the less foreign sounding name of sunchokes.

Over 200 varieties of Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) are now available. They are used not only in many commercial products as a fructose source, but also to make alcohol. The sunchoke is more popular in Europe than in America.

Botanical Name:

Jerusalem artichoke, botanically-named Helianthus tuberosus, is the tuber of a variety of perennial flower in the aster family. The flowers look like small yellow sunflowers. Also marketed as sunchokes, these gnarly little tubers look a lot like ginger root.

Common and Other Names:

Jerusalem artichoke, sunchoke, Canada or French potato, topinambour, topinambur. One theory holds Jerusalem is a corruption of the Italian girasola, meaning "turning toward the sun," a reference to the sunflower. Another theory involves another garbling of the Ter Neusen, Netherlands area where the sunchoke was originally introduced to Europe. Artichoke comes from the Arabic al-khurshuf, meaning thistle, another reference to appearance of the above-ground foliation.

Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Availability:

Although available year-round, prime season in North America is from October to April, and they are best dug after a light frost.

Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Selection:

Choose smooth, clean, unblemished, firm tubers with a minimum of bumps. Avoid those with wrinkled skins, soft spots, blotched green areas or sprouts.

Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Storage:

Handle sunchokes with care as they will bruise easily. Raw sunchokes should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light. They may also be stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, wrapped in paper towels to absorb humidity, and sealed in a plastic bag. Depending on how long they have been sitting at the market, raw sunchokes can be stored from 1 to 3 weeks. Cooked sunchokes should be refrigerated and consumed within 2 days. Canning and freezing is not recommended due to discoloration and deterioration of texture. Learn More.

Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Preparation:

Jerusalem artichokes may be eaten raw or cooked. Before eating or cooking, scrub the tubers thoroughly with a vegetable brush. Peeling can be difficult due to the protuberances and is not necessary. The peels are perfectly edible. However, if you must peel them, slice off the smaller bumpy areas and remove skin with a vegetable peeler. If you will be eating them cooked, you will find it easier to boil, steam or microwave them whole and unpeeled first, and then peel if necessary. Learn More.

Miscellaneous Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Information:

The knobby sunchoke tubers look similar to ginger roots, with light brown skin which may be tinged with yellow, red, or purple depending on the soil they are grown in. They are 3 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Just as with potatoes, they can be baked, boiled, steamed, fried, and stewed. However, they will cook faster than potatoes and can easily be turned to mush in a matter of minutes if you do not monitor them closely.

Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Health:

Sunchokes store their carbohydrates in a form of inulin, a starch that is not utilized by the body for energy, unlike sugar. They are recommended as a potato substitute for diabetics, since they are filling but not absorbed by the body, and because they also show indications of assisting in blood sugar control. Jerusalem artichoke flour is also recommended for those who are allergic to wheat and other grains. Learn More.

Sample Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Recipes:

• In-Depth Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Information
• Brisket with Sunchokes
• Cheese and Artichoke Chowder
• Sunchokes and Yukon Gold Potatoes Gratin
• Jerusalem Artichoke Quick Bread
• More Sunchoke / Jerusalem Artichoke Recipes