Sunchokes
Sunchoke
Sunchokes are in the same plant family as artichokes but are more closely related to sunflowers. ‘Jerusalem’ is thought to be a corruption of girasole, the Italian word for sunflower; or perhaps early settlers to New England celebrated their “new Jerusalem” with this sturdy native wild food.
Growing Sunchokes
Store refrigerated until planting; do not allow tubers to dry out. Plant whole or cut into pieces with 1–2 eyes. Plant 3–4" deep, 12–14" apart. One pound contains approximately 5 tubers, potentially cut into 18–20 pieces. Depending on the growing season and when you harvest, tubers can reach 6" long, 3" across and weigh up to a pound.
Caution: plant sunchokes in an area that is easy to control; they will spread and are rather difficult to eradicate.