Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also known as sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambour, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.

Pronunciation

/jəˈruːsələm ˈɑːrtɪˌtʃoʊk/

Etymology

The term "Jerusalem artichoke" is a folk etymology. It has no relation to Jerusalem, and it is not a type of artichoke. The origin of the term is uncertain. One theory suggests the name is derived from the Italian word girasole, meaning "sunflower", due to its resemblance to the garden sunflower.

Description

The Jerusalem artichoke is a type of sunflower in the daisy family. It is a perennial plant growing to 1.5–3 m (4 ft 11 in–9 ft 10 in) tall with opposite leaves on the upper part of the stem but alternate below. The leaves have a rough, hairy texture. The flowers are yellow and produced in capitate flowerheads, which are 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter, with 10–20 ray florets.

Cultivation and uses

The tubers are elongated and uneven, typically 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) long and 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) thick, and vaguely resembling ginger root, with a crisp texture when raw. They vary in color from pale brown to white, red, or purple. Jerusalem artichokes are used in a variety of culinary dishes, often as a substitute for potatoes.

Related terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Jerusalem artichoke
Wikipedia's article - Jerusalem artichoke

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Jerusalem artichoke