The Sun Seeker
Good Organic Gardening|November - December 2018

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
The Sun Seeker

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.

This story is from the November - December 2018 edition of Good Organic Gardening.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November - December 2018 edition of Good Organic Gardening.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GOOD ORGANIC GARDENINGView All
Glamour girls
Good Organic Gardening

Glamour girls

EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
FRIED VEG
Good Organic Gardening

FRIED VEG

IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS

time-read
4 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
BEYOND BIG RED
Good Organic Gardening

BEYOND BIG RED

TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY

time-read
4 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
EVEN MORE TROPPO
Good Organic Gardening

EVEN MORE TROPPO

ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
Good Organic Gardening

LET'S STALK RHUBARB

JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
FOOD OF THE GODS
Good Organic Gardening

FOOD OF THE GODS

THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
MAKING GOOD BETTER
Good Organic Gardening

MAKING GOOD BETTER

THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN

time-read
7 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
True lily
Good Organic Gardening

True lily

MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
SALTY BUDS
Good Organic Gardening

SALTY BUDS

THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
Ducks on duty
Good Organic Gardening

Ducks on duty

BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.4