Organic Pink Jerusalem Artichokes - Helianthus tuberosus

The pink Jerusalem artichoke is a variety that produces irregular-shaped tubers with pink skin and flesh. Sometimes called the Jerusalem artichoke, this root vegetable has a flavour reminiscent of artichokes. Its flowers, resembling those of sunflowers, are highly decorative. Plant in spring or autumn for year-round harvest, from November to March.

The Jerusalem artichoke is grown for its elongated tubers, which have a delicate flavour similar to artichokes. Like the sunflower, it belongs to the same species. At the end of summer, small sunflower-shaped flowers will appear. With stems reaching a height of 2m (7ft), the Jerusalem artichoke is interesting to grow as a border in the vegetable garden or as a summer hedge to provide some shade. Choose the planting location carefully, as this perennial and hardy plant spreads rapidly from the remains of tubers left after harvest. Therefore, clearly define the area where you want to grow it and remove any shoots that appear the following spring if necessary.

Cooked and peeled, Jerusalem artichokes can be used in gratins, stir-fries, or mashed. Consume them in small quantities as they can sometimes be difficult to digest. However, you can enjoy them throughout the winter as they are one of the last vegetables harvested from the garden.

Harvesting: Dig up the tubers with a garden fork after the first frost, when the foliage has turned black. Very hardy, Jerusalem artichokes can withstand frost and can be harvested from November to March, as needed.

Storage: The tubers should be consumed quickly after harvest, within 2 to 3 days.

Gardener's tip: We recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, preferably mixed with dead leaves. This protection helps keep the soil moist and also reduces weed growth. A thick mulch will also make harvesting easier during the winter period.