How to Harvest and Store Jerusalem Artichokes

Harvest Jerusalem artichokes as required from late autumn into winter, digging up the tubers using a garden fork. They don't generally store well once dug up, so leave them in the ground until needed. Jerusalem artichokes are persistent and will re-grow from any tubers left in the soil.

What is the best way to store Jerusalem artichokes?
When should you harvest Jerusalem artichokes?
How do you store Jerusalem artichokes over the winter?
Do you have to peel Jerusalem artichokes?
What is Jerusalem artichoke good for?
Can you freeze Jerusalem artichokes raw?
Do Jerusalem artichokes make you fart?
Can you leave Jerusalem artichokes in the ground?
Do Jerusalem artichokes spread?
How do you propagate Jerusalem artichokes?
How deep do Jerusalem artichokes grow?
Are Jerusalem artichokes easy to grow?

What is the best way to store Jerusalem artichokes?

It's important to handle sunchokes with care as they bruise easily. Raw sunchokes should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from light. They may also be stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, wrapped in paper towels to absorb humidity, and sealed in a plastic bag.

When should you harvest Jerusalem artichokes?

Jerusalem artichokes are generally ready for harvest when the leaves die down. If you have the patience you might want to wait for the first frost as tubers harvested after they got hit by the first frost taste sweeter. In my experience the best harvest season is end of september until march.

How do you store Jerusalem artichokes over the winter?

Growing Jerusalem artichoke

Rather than harvest the whole lot at once, you can also dig them as you need them over winter as they stored best in the ground. Having said this I find if I wash and dry the roots I can keep them in airtight containers in the fridge for several months.

Do you have to peel Jerusalem artichokes?

Just scrub them clean - there's no need to peel them (should you wish to, a teaspoon works well). If you do peel them, drop them into acidulated water until you're ready to use them because the flesh discolours quickly. Keep an eye on them while cooking as they can turn to mush quite quickly.

What is Jerusalem artichoke good for?

Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent source of potassium and a good source of iron. Also of nutritional note is a particular fiber that Jerusalem artichoke contains in abundance, called inulin. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that balances blood sugar, and also acts as a prebiotic.

Can you freeze Jerusalem artichokes raw?

Boil a pan of water, then put the Jerusalem Artichokes into it. ... Immediately plunge the vegetables into very cold water, to stop the cooking process. Lay the Jerusalem Artichokes onto a tray in a single layer and freeze. When they are frozen, put them in a bag.

Do Jerusalem artichokes make you fart?

Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) do indeed have a gassy reputation. The sweetness comes from high levels of inulin, a soluble fibre that passes intact through the digestive system until it reaches the colon, where gut bacteria break it down then release gas.

Can you leave Jerusalem artichokes in the ground?

Jerusalem Artichokes aren't easy to store well but one of their advantages is that they're quite happy left in the ground until you need them. If your ground tends to freeze, mulch well to ensure that you can extend the harvest period.

Do Jerusalem artichokes spread?

Jerusalem Artichokes are an edible tuber, much like a potato. ... They spread by way of their tasty tubers, which divide beneath the soil. Even one tiny piece of tuber means a new plant the following year, and they're almost impossible to irradicate. This can be good if they're planted far from any other cultivated areas.

How do you propagate Jerusalem artichokes?

Jerusalem artichokes can be planted in fall, or spring six to eight weeks before your last frost date. Either way works fine. Make sure each tuber you'll be planting has at least one "eye." Plant them three inches deep and about a foot apart. They work well either planted in rows or blocks.

How deep do Jerusalem artichokes grow?

Plant tubers 4-6 inches (10-15 cms) deep, 12-18 inches (30-45 cms) apart.

Are Jerusalem artichokes easy to grow?

Jerusalem artichokes are easy-to-grow plants that need little attention and produce a large crop of underground tubers, rather like potatoes, for harvesting in autumn and winter. A relative of sunflowers, they also send up tall stems that are topped with yellow flowers in autumn.