Sunchokes - yummy little things

I stumbled across this peculiar little vegetable and I just had to share. It also happens to be related to the Sunflower.

Sunchokes ( Jerusalem artichokes), I know I have heard of them briefly. So briefly, that they slipped my mind like many things.

I was in the market the other day buying what I thought was the tiniest piece of ginger root I had ever come across. To my surprise when I got home it was far from a ginger root. It was however this marvelous little white crunchy thing. Of course, I googled it and found that it has many health benefits and can be prepared and eaten many ways. I found sources stating benefits from diabetes to intestinal health.

Sunchokes are very rich in inulin, a carbohydrate linked with good intestinal health due to its prebiotic (bacteria promoting) properties. These health benefits come at a price; the food can have a potent wind-producing effect.
Sunchokes also contain vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium and are a very good source of iron.(Eating the seasons, 2008)

http://www.eattheseasons.com/Archive/sunchoke.htm.

We tried it tonight ,raw and on salad. My little 10yr old made the most beautiful salad with fresh herbs, mixed greens, cucumbers, apples and raw chopped sunchoke. It was magnificent!

Here's to trying new things!

Blessings,

LunaMamaP