Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke is a sunflower relative grown for its underground edible tubers, which have a nutty flavor.
- Plant
- Helianthus tuberosus
- Edible part
- Underground tubers
- Flavor
- Nutty
A North American plant
The Royal Horticultural Society identifies Helianthus tuberosus as originating in North America. The edible part described here is its underground tuber.
Try it in the kitchen
Roast the tubers and serve them with sautéed leafy greens, or cook them for a soup finished with chopped chives. Try cooking methods similar to those used for potatoes.
In Piemonte, topinambur also accompanies bagna cauda among the vegetables served at the table, giving the tuber a role beyond soups and roasts.
Look for the tubers
Choose tubers identified as topinambur or Jerusalem artichoke. Different cultivars can have different tuber forms; the name does not refer to the flower head of an ordinary artichoke.
