Jerusalem artichokes

Key facts

Jerusalem artichokes are native to the USA where they are known as sunchoke or sunroot. They have no connection to Jerusalem: it's thought that Italian immigrants to the US could have referred to them as 'girasole' (sunflower), which was corrupted to Jerusalem. Nor are they an artichoke, but in fact a member of the sunflower family.

Season: November to February

These vegetables with a distinctive flavour are a rather neglected delicacy. Although they are cheap and could not be easier to grow, they are largely ignored. My guess is that this is because of their ugliness: the tubers do look misshapen and dauntingly knobbily. There is no need to be daunted. If you’re prepared to buy slightly more than you actually need, you can soon cut off (and discard) the nobbles, which makes life a lot easier.

They are then easy to peel, but as they discolour quickly, pop them straight into cold water as you peel. As a vegetable they can be roasted like potatoes, or sautéed.

Best of all, I think, they make a really delicious soup with a truly creamy texture.