Jerusalem Artichokes

[katzgar]

Hello people. I'm looking for something called Jerusalem artichokes and I live in Prairieville Louisiana. I'm a diabetic and my understanding is that they are very good for diabetics. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's don't carry them. I can find them on Amazon or Ebay but they are really expensive. Should anybody know where to get them or even where to forage Jerusalem artichokes the information would be appreciated. Thank you.

[dcarch]

If they don't have Jerusalem artichokes, ask them if they have sunchokes. Same thing different name.

 

If you have a garden, grow them yourself.

 

dcarch

 

 

[heidih]

Check out Vivian Howard (Eastern North Carolina) - I think the site is no longr free but she did a thing on these sunflower related tubers

[heidih]

Here it is - hope link works  http://www.achefslifeseries.com/episodes/49

 

[Lisa Shock]

They are out of season right now, and while they can be stored for a while, in my experience, they don't keep as well as other root vegetables. A local chain called Sprouts has them in AZ. That said, I'd scour every supermarket's specialty produce area for them, and, yes, they are often labelled as sunchokes. IIRC, a friend found some at a Walmart supermarket a few years back. Asking around at farmer's markets may be useful as well.They are super easy to grow, if you have access to some land. If not, check around for local gardening groups -many give away free produce in the summer. It's very easy to grow too many of these. Good luck!

[katzgar]

I have come to realize that JA's need to be peeled account of dirt hiding in the coarse skin.  Once they are peeled there isnt much left.  I recently learned about Jicama which is aqvailable in my area at a relatively civil price of about 3.70/pound.  Jicama also fills the role as a potato substitute.

[dcarch]

9 minutes ago, katzgar said:

I have come to realize that JA's need to be peeled account of dirt hiding in the coarse skin.  Once they are peeled there isnt much left. 

 

Don't peel. Use a rough steel wool pad to rub the thin skin off.

 

dcarch

[Lisa Shock]

I keep a green scrubby thing just for washing vegetables. Works great on irregular, knobby root vegetables. Also, jicama is pretty different from jerusalem artichokes. Both taste good, they are just different.

[dcarch]

There are people who cannot digest J artichoke.

 

dcarch

[HungryChris]

34 minutes ago, dcarch said:

There are people who cannot digest J artichoke.

 

dcarch

They have a telling nickname.

HC

https://www.bonappetit.com/columns/the-foodist/article/do-jerusalem-artichokes-cause-diarrhea

[gfweb]

I'd do a test dose of J-artichokes. The cramping can be dramatic. There are suggestions that chilling them helps since in the Spring they are most tolerable. I believe this was discussed a lot earlier t his year on eG.

 

[Beebs]

Delicious little knobby grenades of flatulence....ugh.

 

I ate them the night before a long training run, as did DH. Let's just say gas-propelled running isn't advisable.

[katzgar]

I tried about a pound over several days with no propellant effect.

[heidih]

I think it is in part genetic - like the cilantro soap taste,

[haresfur]

23 minutes ago, heidih said:

I think it is in part genetic - like the cilantro soap taste,

 

We should do an eG study. I volunteer to be in the no choke control group.

[Kerry Beal]

26 minutes ago, haresfur said:

 

We should do an eG study. I volunteer to be in the no choke control group.

I'm with you!

[katzgar]

JA's were eaten long before the "white man" arrived in the new world.

[cakewalk]

14 minutes ago, katzgar said:

JA's were eaten long before the "white man" arrived in the new world.

Did it produce the same result?

[gfweb]

1 hour ago, cakewalk said:

Did it produce the same result?

 

It would. People can't metabolize inulin. Gut bacteria take over and hilarity ensues.

The native am. may have known when to harvest and how to prepare it safely though.

[cakewalk]

4 hours ago, gfweb said:

 

It would. People can't metabolize inulin. Gut bacteria take over and hilarity ensues.

The native am. may have known when to harvest and how to prepare it safely though.

I was being snarky. 

[katzgar]

lots eat JA's just fine