Though Jerusalem artichokes are lovely flowers to look at, they also make a delicious meal. The sunflower species, native to areas as north as Maine and south as Texas, are also known as sunchoke, earth apple, and sunroot. The tubers are often considered an invasive species, or at least a weed, as they are prone to take over one’s property. They are grown for their friendly appearance as well as their culinary use. If you’d like to employ Jerusalem artichoke tubers in a recipe, here are a few ideas you may wish to start with. When buying tubers to cook, be sure to selected the smoothest ones you can find.

Raw Tubers: For a nutty treat, some people enjoy eating these plants plain. Be sure to thoroughly clean them first.

Savory Soup: If you love cheesy potato soup like me, try an alternate version with these root plants. If you don’t like cheese or want something with a little more kick, you can do what we do in our house: forgo the cheese and instead sauté the potatoes with a mixture of olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, cayenne pepper, and onion powder. Then cook them in the soup per the recipe.

Mixed Herbs: Check out this delicious recipe from Jamie Oliver featuring sautéed Jerusalem artichokes with garlic and bay leaves. The photo alone looks mouth watering!

Potato Substitute: Use these artichokes in a similar way that you would normally cook potatoes in order to create a sweeter, nuttier dish.

Chicken and Artichokes: If you prefer a meatier dish, try roasting some chicken along with these plants and some other choice vegetables.

Salad Topping: Dice up the artichokes or thinly slice them to use on top of a salad. For more prominent use within a salad, try this recipe that calls for arugula to be combined with the artichokes.

Pan-Fried Artichokes: Fry up your artichokes for a savory side dish.

Artichoke Chips: Fry up some thinly-sliced artichokes for a zesty treat. Serve with dinner or as a snack.

Vegetarian Meal: Use Jerusalem artichokes as a base with beans as a simple vegetarian supper dish.

Do you grow Jerusalem artichokes, or do you use them in recipes? Feel free to share your ideas and experiences here. It should also be noted that these tubers can cause gastric pain or flatulence in some people; consuming large quantities of them when first trying the foods is not recommended.