Contrary to popular belief, a Jerusalem artichoke didn't originate in Jerusalem and isn't an artichoke. It is actually a sunchoke - a native American plant related to the sunflower. The Italians found the plant here and took it back to Italy, where they named it girasole (Italian for sunflower) artichoke. The Italian girasole was later "Americanized" into "Jerusalem."
The Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial root vegetable that, in our area, should be planted in the fall for harvest the following fall. Plants should be spaced 18" apart and planted 2" deep in a permanent location in the garden. A 50' row will yield two bushels.
Sunchokes have a nut-like flavor and the texture of a water chestnut. They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as you would cook potatoes. When preparing the vegetable for cooking, the cut pieces should be placed in vinegar or lemon water to prevent browning.
Boots Oliphint, Smith County Master Gardener
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