Sunchokes/jerusalem artichokes

mensplace · September 20, 2017

I have checked every possible grocery chain around here with no luck in finding Jerusalem artichokes. Then I checked online for them and the prices, especially when combined with shipping were insane. They produce so many tubers I can't believe they are no longer widely available or so costly. I used to have them elsewhere and loved the flavor and the flowers.

GrowingCoastal · September 20, 2017

Keep watching the produce sections. I think their season is just coming up. I managed to get a few here that way a few years ago.

Old chef · September 22, 2017

The season starts after the first hard frost. Plants die back
And then it was s time for harvest
Old Chef

TessSR · September 22, 2017

I can get it here for a decent price. I also have some growing from what I planted last year. I just need to find out when I need to harvest them. Shipping would be depending on how many you need.

PhilaGardener · September 22, 2017

Where are you located, @mensplace ? To my surprise, I see them here (near Philly, PA) in all the major chains (Acme even!) and Whole Paycheck (ahem, Whole Foods) on a regular basis.

Gardeneer · October 1, 2017

Yes, Sun chokes are harvested after the frost.
I am not a fan of SC. The only use that I like is pickling them. They stay crunchy.

**carolyn137** · October 1, 2017

Once you grow them you have them forever,that's about all I can say that is or is not nice to say. Some say they are full of inulin which is good for avoiding diabetes and some say if you already have diabetes they can cure you.

But yes, pretty yellow flowers and it took me forever to get rid of them.

Carolyn

PhilaGardener · October 2, 2017

Mine are probably over 16 ft tall right now and blooming their heads off!

Gardeneer, do you brine or lactoferment them? I use them sparingly in stir fries but they don't keep well in the refrigerator for me.

If anyone is planning larger scale use, test sparingly first. They can cause GI upset for some folks.

mensplace · October 3, 2017

This has been an interesting couple of weeks. First, I lost all ability to walk for a week thanks to gabapentin. Next, my wife and I went in for our over 65 inoculations. I went on and got the flu version and pneumonia at the same time. Never again! The aches, chills, and fever kept me down for a week. Yesterday, I sat out in the sun just listening and considering.

Today, I walked into the back to check an area I had prepped for the Fall. My neighbor had mowed right up to the edge covering the whole area with his grass clippings that were full of ever weed from lambs quarter to thistle. The area that I had looking beautiful was now covered with weeds with my month's inattention.

In my front garden my transplants of Fall veggies were reduced to skeletons thanks to insects. With one last area left to inspect I saw very little sprouting thanks to our drought. I think that I must try to manage only tomato bed in the Spring. At least that can be controlled, managed, and monitored.

That all considered, it seems best for me not to be planting something for long term returns. Chokes still are my all time favorite relish and pickle, but I will have to find them elsewhere. I'm not giving up across the board, but merely recognizing my limitations that are rapidly changing. GOD bless all...and thanks again for your incredible generosity

.

bower · October 3, 2017

We were talking about sunchokes at a seed saving event today at the farm. Apparently they get woody during the summer when they are actively growing, and that is why they are harvested in fall or spring, after the plant has put the sugars into storage in the tubers.

Like Carolyn said, the patches are forever.

There's no way that there won't be a small tuber to escape harvest and grow again. Very easy, so if you like them Mensplace, I think it only takes a year to get something to eat. I'm with the others who concluded that a little goes a long way... not something I would ever eat a lot of. I do have a patch, though.

Worth1 · October 3, 2017

The Germans make alcohol out of them.

Worth

PhilaGardener · October 3, 2017

We'll probably never know if that solves the classic flatulence problem or not . . .

Gardeneer · October 3, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilaGardener

Mine are probably over 16 ft tall right now and blooming their heads off!

Gardeneer, do you brine or lactoferment them? I use them sparingly in stir fries but they don't keep well in the refrigerator for me.

If anyone is planning larger scale use, test sparingly first. They can cause GI upset for some folks.

I have not pickled them myself but my relative do it all the time.
They mostly pickle in vinegar + water + salt + herbs/spices.

Yes, in stir fry they should be good. Like water chestnuts that taste crunchy

Tormato · October 4, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

The Germans make alcohol out of them.

Worth

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Worth1 · October 4, 2017

Nein nicht veil.

September 20, 2017	#1
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	Sunchokes/jerusalem artichokes I have checked every possible grocery chain around here with no luck in finding Jerusalem artichokes. Then I checked online for them and the prices, especially when combined with shipping were insane. They produce so many tubers I can't believe they are no longer widely available or so costly. I used to have them elsewhere and loved the flavor and the flowers.

October 1, 2017	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Yes, Sun chokes are harvested after the frost. I am not a fan of SC. The only use that I like is pickling them. They stay crunchy. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

October 1, 2017	#7
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Once you grow them you have them forever,that's about all I can say that is or is not nice to say. Some say they are full of inulin which is good for avoiding diabetes and some say if you already have diabetes they can cure you. But yes, pretty yellow flowers and it took me forever to get rid of them. Carolyn __________________ Carolyn

October 3, 2017	#9
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	Thank you so much for ALL of your kind offers This has been an interesting couple of weeks. First, I lost all ability to walk for a week thanks to gabapentin. Next, my wife and I went in for our over 65 inoculations. I went on and got the flu version and pneumonia at the same time. Never again! The aches, chills, and fever kept me down for a week. Yesterday, I sat out in the sun just listening and considering. Today, I walked into the back to check an area I had prepped for the Fall. My neighbor had mowed right up to the edge covering the whole area with his grass clippings that were full of ever weed from lambs quarter to thistle. The area that I had looking beautiful was now covered with weeds with my month's inattention. In my front garden my transplants of Fall veggies were reduced to skeletons thanks to insects. With one last area left to inspect I saw very little sprouting thanks to our drought. I think that I must try to manage only tomato bed in the Spring. At least that can be controlled, managed, and monitored. That all considered, it seems best for me not to be planting something for long term returns. Chokes still are my all time favorite relish and pickle, but I will have to find them elsewhere. I'm not giving up across the board, but merely recognizing my limitations that are rapidly changing. GOD bless all...and thanks again for your incredible generosity.

September 20, 2017	#2
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	Keep watching the produce sections. I think their season is just coming up. I managed to get a few here that way a few years ago.

September 22, 2017	#3
Old chef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Long island Posts: 456	The season starts after the first hard frost. Plants die back And then it was s time for harvest Old Chef

September 22, 2017	#4
TessSR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: California 90249 Posts: 80	I can get it here for a decent price. I also have some growing from what I planted last year. I just need to find out when I need to harvest them. Shipping would be depending on how many you need.

September 22, 2017	#5
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Where are you located, @mensplace ? To my surprise, I see them here (near Philly, PA) in all the major chains (Acme even!) and Whole Paycheck (ahem, Whole Foods) on a regular basis.

October 2, 2017	#8
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Mine are probably over 16 ft tall right now and blooming their heads off! Gardeneer, do you brine or lactoferment them? I use them sparingly in stir fries but they don't keep well in the refrigerator for me. If anyone is planning larger scale use, test sparingly first. They can cause GI upset for some folks.

October 3, 2017	#10
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	We were talking about sunchokes at a seed saving event today at the farm. Apparently they get woody during the summer when they are actively growing, and that is why they are harvested in fall or spring, after the plant has put the sugars into storage in the tubers. Like Carolyn said, the patches are forever. There's no way that there won't be a small tuber to escape harvest and grow again. Very easy, so if you like them Mensplace, I think it only takes a year to get something to eat. I'm with the others who concluded that a little goes a long way... not something I would ever eat a lot of. I do have a patch, though.

October 3, 2017	#11
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	The Germans make alcohol out of them. Worth

October 4, 2017	#15
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Nein nicht veil.