There are no two ways around it– Jerusalem artichokes look like the ugly love child of Miss Ginger Root and Mr. Potato Head. Fortunately beneath that gnarled exterior hides a uniquely nutty, mildly sweet vegetable that’s becoming a winter staple at my house. Jerusalem artichokes are very versatile too. They can be shaved thin and eaten raw. I’ve fried them and mashed them (be generous with the butter) and layered them into a gratin. Roasted Jerusalem artichokes require no peeling and are as simple to bake as potatoes. However they have another ugly aspect that may be a little indelicate for a food blog.
Jerusalem artichokes, like beans, are said to be the cause of gas in some people. When I was writing this Gjelina-inspired recipe for Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes with Salsa Verde I considered calling them Roasted Jerusalem Fartichokes (just for fun). You have to admit it’s a hilarious name. However, this is a food blog. It’s my job to make these Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes sound appetizing. Besides, I’m no longer an 11-year-old boy and fart chokes – I mean jokes – aren’t nearly as much fun as they used to be.
But what if I could convince you that farty foods were a good thing? I’d be doing my job as a food blogger AND getting to use the word fart! Win-win, right?
Let me explain. Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes (and un-roasted Jerusalem artichokes) have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor similar to jicama. Like Jicama, Jerusalem artichokes (also known as Sunchokes), get that sweet flavor from a prebiotic carbohydrate known as inulin. Unfortunately humans don’t naturally digest inulin, so (some studies suggest) we need to encourage the growth of the beneficial bacteria known as probiotics to do that job. Prebiotics like inulin are the “fertilizer” that leads to the procreation of probiotics in our guts. These “biotics” and their complicated relationship are getting a lot of attention these days as probiotics (some studies suggest) may lead to healthier digestion.
The flip side of all this quasi-science is the honest truth that as the probiotics eat the prebiotics they produce waste in the form of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in your gut is the gas that leads to farting. Which, believe it or not, could (some studies suggest) be a good thing because it means the probiotics are dining on the prebiotics. All you have to do is dine on Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes with Salsa Verde. GREG
Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes with Salsa Verde
Print This Recipe Yield 4–6Source Inspired by Gjelina Chef Travis LettPublished
Ingredients
- 2 pound Jerusalem artichokes (each one should be about 1 ½‑inch in diamter, otherwise cut them into comparatively sized chunks)
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼‑½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼‑⅓ cup salsa verde (recipe link: http://www.sippitysup.com/recipe/salsa-verde/)
- mixed herbs (as garnish)
Directions
Set the oven rack to the center position and preheat to 450°.
In a large bowl toss Jerusalem artichokes with oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the heated oven, tossing halfway through, until soft and beginning to brown in places, about 30 minutes.
Once roasted return the hot Jerusalem artichokes to the large bowl and immediately toss with salsa verde. Turn the warm mixture onto a serving dish and garnish with some of the same types of herbs used in the salsa verde.
The optional lemon juice makes the sauce zestier, but add it just before serving, as the acid will cause the herbs to discolor.
Ingredients
- 2 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup lightly packed fresh tarragon leaves
- 2–3 anchovy fillets
- 2 clove garlic (peeled and minced)
- 1 tablespoon chopped capers (rinsed and dried)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
Directions
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine parsley, mint, tarragon, anchovies, garlic, capers, about ½ teaspoon salt and a generous grinding of pepper. Pulse briefly to combine. With the motor running, drizzle in about ½ cup olive oil. Process until you achieve the desired consistency. You may use more or less oil to your own taste. Scrape the sauce into a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Stir in lemon juice just before serving if using.
Love Jerusalem artichokes & Gjelina = win-win. Thank you Greg!
I’m sitting here imagining you as the host of it Saturday morning children’s television show. What child doesn’t love a good fart joke? Now, to the serious stuff… Jerusalem artichokes are amazing. I have never roasted them with their skins,so you just saved me a lot of trouble. Love the salsa Verde!
I’ve never had one, but I’m eager to try one.
I’ve never seen these but I am very intrigued! They sound like something I’d be all about especially with that salsa verde! Delish!
Greg, unfortunately my husband is still 11 years old apparently, so this post has earned SippitySup a new fan! I really must try this odd little veg someday–your salsa verde would make cardboard palatable, so it’s definitely the way to go.
I adore fartichokes, I mean Jerusalem Artichokes, which we actually call sunchokes. Whatever you call them, they are delicious.
Now that I know that farting is healthy I don’t feel so bad. Great recipe Greg, I have no idea what to to do with Jerusalem Artichokes and this is a good start.
I dunno — I think part of me will always be 11. Which is both good and bad. 🙂 Never thought to roast these — terrific idea! And my regular grocery store has had a huge supply of these for the last few weeks, so it’s probably time to face my inner child, isn’t it?
I absolutely ADORE artichokes but I am not entirely sure I have had jerusalem ones… That being said, prepared like this, I KNOW I would love them! Anchovies are my JAM!
Oddly Jerusalem artichokes are neither Middle Eastern nor “Artichokes”. They’re closer to potato than flower. I’m sure you’d love them. GREG
Well, I had a laugh; in my heart I’m still an 11-year-old kid who laughs at fart jokes. Having said that, I’m glad I came upon this recipe because I have no clue what to do with Jerusalem artichokes at all. Thanks for this.
Hmm. Hmmmm. I love these-but they don’t love me. I made them one night and hubby said they were great. I had the worst stomach ache and he was fine. Usually it is the other way around. I will try again‑I think! They really are good!
My CSA gave me some last year, and I didn’t have a clue what to do with them!
Very cute, I haven’t seen those before! The salsa verde sounds like an amazing accompaniment.
You are funny and factual. My girlfriend always calls them fartichokes and I was leery about telling you that–until I read your treatise on their gassy qualities.
Yummy!