The Sun Seeker

THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE DOESN’T COME FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND IS ACTUALLY A SUNFLOWER — BUT DON’T LET THAT PUT YOU OFF

- Jennifer Stackhouse

All right, let’s get the artichoke jokes out of the way. Mention these tubers even in polite company and you’re sure to hear a sniggered reference to “farty chokes”, as this particular edible is renowned for causing flatulence.

If serving up Jerusalem artichokes to boys (of any age), you should definitely call them fartichokes. They’ll love it. For more discerning diners, mention that artichokes are all the rage on seasonal restaurant menus.

Despite their gassy reputation, there’s good reason to eat artichokes. They are high in the hard-to-digest carbohydrate inulin and are low in calories, which means they are suitable for diabetics. They also contain moderate levels of vitamins B1 and B5.

Even if Jerusalem artichoke wasn’t edible and nutritious it makes a handsome plant. A close relative of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus), in autumn its stems produce masses of small yellow sunflowers. As a tall plant that’s easily 2–3m high, it is also a top screening plant or useful to give summer shelter to small vegetables.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Don’t confuse this artichoke with the globe artichoke, which has edible buds and is a thistle relative. Jerusalem artichokes are not from Jerusalem and are not artichokes, though their flavour reminded early explorers in America and botanists of true artichokes.