Jerusalem Artichoke Stampede, Helianthus tuberosus Organc 1.5 Pounds by David's Garden Seeds
The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambour, is a species of sunflower native to eastern North America, and found from eastern Canada and Maine west to North Dakota, and south to northern Florida and Texas.[1] It is also cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetableThe flowers are yellow and produced in capitate flowerheads, which are 5-10 centimetres (2.0-3.9 in) in diameter, with 10-20 ray florets. The tubers are elongated and uneven, typically 7.5-10 centimetres (3.0-3.9 in) long and 3-5 centimetres (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.[2][4]The artichoke contains about 10% protein, no oil, and a surprising lack of starchThe tubers are sometimes used as a substitute for potatoes:they have a similar consistency, and in their raw form have a similar texture, but a sweeter, nuttier flavor; raw and sliced thinly, they are fit for a salad.In Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany, over 90% of the Jerusalem artichoke crop is used to produce a spirit called "Topinambur", "Topi" or "Rossler".[13] By the end of the 19th-century Jerusalem artichokes were being used in Baden to make a spirit called "Jerusalem artichoke brandy," "Jerusalem artichoke", "Topi", "Erdpfler" "Rossler" or "Borbel."