Jerusalem Artichoke / Sunchoke: a Tasty Survival Food

The Jerusalem artichoke — also called sunchoke and sunroot — is a fascinating and beneficial plant. It’s also tasty! Although they look something like a potato, sunchokes taste more like a water chestnut. This mild taste makes them super versatile.

In this updated post — with new video! — I’ll share several simple recipes as well as tips and a video for growing and harvesting this hardy tuber.

As an added attraction, Jerusalem artichokes have a beautiful, bright bloom. I have a friend who has planted cheery sunchokes all around his city. That’s not a bad idea. 

I’ll explain more about what makes this humble root vegetable a surprising star.

What is the Jerusalem Artichoke, aka Sunchoke?

First, the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is not really from Jerusalem.  (Click here to read about Growing Holy Fruits on Southern Soil.) This plant is native to the central part of North America. Native Americans grew the tubers for food long before the arrival of Europeans. Eventually, Jerusalem artichokes spread West and East. Early colonists, impressed with the crop’s hardiness, sent it back home to Europe. It then became a popular food crop across the ocean. 

Second, the Jerusalem artichoke is not really an artichoke!  These root veggies are actually the root of a variety of sunflower, thus the alternate name “sunchoke.” The plant has a yellow flower above ground, making it decorative as well as edible. The flowering stems grow about 6 feet high.

Over time, America pretty much forgot about the humble sunchoke as food, and that’s a shame. The good news is that it’s enjoying a well-deserved revival now.

Here is a new video on growing sunchokes in your garden.

Are sunchokes good for you?

In nutrients, this edible tuber is a powerhouse. In just one cup of the sunchoke’s white flesh, you get 28% of your daily iron, 18% of potassium, and 10% of vitamin C along with beneficial inulin fiber. With their low glycemic index, they help maintain blood sugar levels, so they are also great for diabetics. With all of these health benefits, Jerusalem artichokes are only a little over 100 calories a serving. Wow!

Here are some other ways that they fit into a healthy diet:

• Gut Health: Sunchokes are high in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds good gut bacteria, improves digestion, and supports immunity. (If your stomach is sensitive to this fiber, consume in moderation.)
• Blood Sugar Control: Inulin doesn’t spike blood sugar. Their low glycemic index makes sunchokes a great option for diabetics.
• Fewer Carbs: For a root vegetable, they are fairly low in carbohydrates.
• Heart Health: Sunchokes are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
• Immunity & Energy: The iron, vitamin C, and B vitamins support oxygen circulation and energy levels.

With all of these health benefits, Jerusalem artichokes are only a little over 100 calories a serving. Wow! 

Why plant sunchokes on your land?

The Native Americans were on to something with their cultivation of this food. Once planted, Jerusalem artichokes persist for years, making this tuber a real survival food.

We like to plant sunchokes in the fall for deer on our land. The deer love to eat them, and the plants provide great nutrition for them. And of course, well fed deer mean healthy protein for us.

Actually, deer are not the only wildlife that benefit from Jerusalem artichokes. According to one study, a syrup form of the root benefited broiler chickens in several ways. It stimulated the chickens’ growth, and it also had an antibiotic effect, protecting the animals from harmful bacteria.

As you can see from the photos, this member of the sunflower family also produces a beautiful yellow bloom!

How to Plant and Grow Jerusalem Artichokes

When should you plant Jerusalem artichokes?

The best planting time will depend on your growing region. However, you should plant Jerusalem artichokes 6-8 weeks before the last frost for your area. They need about 18-20 weeks frost free. They will flower around August and September, and then you can harvest them through late fall.

In colder zones, you can plant sunchokes as a perennial. They grow best in mild environments like zones 7-11. You can look up your plant hardiness zone by zip code on the USDA map here.

How To Grow Jerusalem Artichokes

Remember, Jerusalem artichokes are a hardy plant, and they will grow like crazy! So make sure to plant them away from other vegetables and plants because otherwise, they can take over. Besides, the blooms will look lovely in a bed of their own.

If you want to make sure the plant won’t be invasive, there’s a simple solution: just cut the flowers off before the seeds develop.

What kind of soil do sunchokes need?

Soil-wise, sunchokes prefer alkaline soil. Generally, they grow best in fertile, well drained and well mulched soil. To prepare for planting, you can fertilize in midsummer with a top dressing of compost.

Do sunchokes need full sun?

Light-wise, the Jerusalem artichoke grows well in full sun to partial shade.

Planting Tips

The planting part is pretty straightforward! You should plant Jerusalem artichoke seeds about 3 inches apart and 3 inches down.

However, if you are planting tubers instead of seeds, they will need to be farther apart—at least 1 foot. Plant them a little deeper than the seeds, about 4-6 inches. Be sure that each piece of tuber that you’re planting has at least one “eye.”

Keep in mind that they grow tall—up to 10 feet!

When and How to Harvest 

Sunchokes are prolific growers. Just one plant can produce several pounds of tubers!

For the best flavor, the tubers generally are ready to harvest in late fall after the first frost. Dig them up as needed; they will store well in the ground through winter. You can harvest your Jerusalem artichokes all winter until they begin to sprout in the spring.

Harvest your sunchokes before the buds open, when they are still tight and firm and about 3 inches in diameter. The plant should be beginning to brown. Once you’ve harvested the tubers, cut away the dying plant.

Note: The skin of the roots is fairly delicate, so be sure to dig deep enough not to cut into the root.

To extend their freshness, you can store the tubers in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Can I grow Jerusalem artichokes in containers?

Yes, you can! And actually, container growing is a good way to keep them from taking over your garden. Here’s how:

1. Make sure you have enough tuber pieces with the eyes for planting. Also, figure on using a separate 5-gallon container for each tuber. 
2. Mix equal parts garden soil and potting soil or compost in a really large container. A wheelbarrow works! 
3. Then fill your containers with soil, up to about 2 inches from the top. Plant the tubers 4-6 inches deep, as you would if you were planting in your garden.
4. Place each container in a sunny spot and water once a week. They need well-drained soil.

Can I plant Jerusalem artichokes from the grocery store?

Yep, you can! It’s best to start with organic sunchokes if possible.

What is the best way to eat Jerusalem artichokes? 

There are so many ways to enjoy this vegetable, which has an earthy flavor and picks up the flavors of herbs and other cooking ingredients. You can fry or oven roast sunchokes until tender with a little sea salt and olive oil. You can also substitute them for potatoes, turnips, or other root vegetables in any recipe that calls for them, including soups and stews. When you peel them, you can serve them raw in salads like water chestnuts.

Watch me and Creek Stewart cook up some tasty Jerusalem artichokes!