Sunchoke

Sunchoke, also known as Jerusalem artichoke, is a root vegetable from the sunflower family. Its bright orange flowers resemble those of marigolds. They grow most of the year but go dormant in the winter. These dormant tubers sprout during the rainy season after the leaves die. Sunchoke plants are low maintenance and require minimal care. They prefer well-draining sandy soils with rich organic matter. However, overly rich soil may result in the rotting of tubers.

Growing Sunchoke

We initially grew the sunchoke in large pots. However, waterlogging can be a challenge, as can harvesting the tubers. Growing the tubers in fabric bags and large polybags with drainage holes proved ideal for most seasons. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators that need abundant flowers to overcome the time lost gathering pollen when it rains.

Sunchoke is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways, such as roasting, frying, boiling, or eating raw. It is a nutritious, fibre-rich vegetable and an excellent option for a healthy diet. The tubers are sweet due to inulin not being absorbed in the intestines, making them popular with diabetics as they will not cause spikes in blood sugar levels. They are fries, picked or pureed. They are also used to feed livestock and in brewing spirits.

This vegetable, native to South America, is a valuable addition to the subtropical garden for its beauty and versatile uses.