Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke)

Helianthus tuberosus

Illustration: Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) with knobby tubers

Identification: Tall sunflower (6–10 ft) with knobby, ginger-like tubers underground. Rough hairy stems and leaves; small yellow sunflower heads in fall.

Dangerous look-alikes: No toxic look-alike with the same tuber + sunflower combination.

Edible parts: Knobby tubers.

Season and habitat: Fall after frost through spring. Disturbed ground, field edges, stream banks.

Preparation: Scrub and roast, boil, or eat raw in salads — crisp and nutty. Note: inulin causes legendary gas in the uninitiated; start with small portions. Also called sunchoke; not from Jerusalem and not an artichoke.