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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Sunchokes are thin-skinned, knobby, and resemble the look of ginger. Measuring an average of 7.5 – 10 centimeters long, these tubers are the root stem of a variety of sunflower that grows up to ten feet tall. Sunchoke varieties can vary in appearance, some have “eyes” similar to potatoes, some are smooth, whereas others are more knobbed. The tubers have a light-beige to tan colored skin, with a crisp and juicy, ivory flesh. Raw Sunchokes have a texture similar to water chestnuts and a sweet, nutty flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Sunchokes are available year-round, with a peak season in the fall and early spring.
Current Facts
Sunchokes are the bulbous tubers of the plant known botanically as Helianthus tuberosus, a variety of sunflower. Sunchokes are also commonly known as Jerusalem artichoke, sunroot, earth apple, and topinambour. The plant is propagated primarily for its root, which can be consumed both raw and cooked. Native to North America, Sunchokes are one of the few vegetables to travel back to the Old World with explorers.
Nutritional Value
The inulin-rich Sunchokes contain no other type of carbohydrate, which is perhaps why some call it “the potato of diabetics.” The sunflower tubers are also high in fiber and have more potassium than most other vegetables.
Applications
Sunchokes can be used in place of potatoes in any recipe, though they have more moisture and no starch, so cooking times can differ. The knobby tuber is said to be best when roasted, though it can be served raw in salads, baked like fries, boiled and mashed or pureed into a soup. Serve raw sliced Sunchokes in a crudité with creamy or oily dips. To remove the thin skin, scrub the choke beneath running water and use a peeler or the edge of a spoon to remove skin around larger knobby areas. Sunchokes will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month if wrapped in plastic.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The name “Jerusalem artichoke” may have been a corruption of ‘Girasole Articiocco’ which is what the Sunchoke is said to have been called when it was handed out from the garden of Cardinal Farnese, a favorite of the Pope. It was said that all newly discovered plants were sent to the Pope where he would give them to his friends to cultivate, one of which was Cardinal Farnese who was growing Jerusalem artichokes in 1617 in Rome. The Sunchoke found popularity on the menus of famous 18th and 19th century French chefs, in particular Louis Eustache Ude, who used Sunchokes as his main ingredient in Palestine soup which is still made in French homes today.
Geography/History
Sunchokes are native to North America and were cultivated by Native tribes who called them “sunroots”. Once introduced to Europe, the Sunchoke became “Girasole”, the Latin name for sunflower. It is believed that the moniker “Jerusalem Artichoke” came from a corruption of this Italian name. It gained favor in French kitchens in the 17th century. Before potatoes were commonly planted, it was the Sunchoke that accompanied the meat dishes and stews of Europe and the United States. Still cultivated and grown in home gardens in France, the Sunchoke was most popular during the World Wars when food was rationed and Sunchokes, rutabagas, and other root vegetables were more common on the dinner plates. Now cultivated mainly in the south of France, Sunchokes still go by a variety of names like Sunroot, and Topinambour.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Eve-Creations Wellness | Encinitas CA | 775-450-7235 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Enclave | Miramar CA | 808-554-4219 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sunchokes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Sunchokes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Santa Monica Farmers Market
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 103 days ago, 4/17/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 110 days ago, 4/10/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 118 days ago, 4/02/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 120 days ago, 3/31/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 132 days ago, 3/19/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 141 days ago, 3/10/21 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 156 days ago, 2/23/21 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 91910 About 186 days ago, 1/24/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Farms! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 232 days ago, 12/09/20 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 260 days ago, 11/11/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 262 days ago, 11/09/20 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Farms 
Mar Vista Farmers Market
Weiser Family Farms
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 263 days ago, 11/08/20 
Central market of Athens Greece 🇬🇷
Athinagoras LTD
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceCentral market of Athens G-43 00302104830298 About 420 days ago, 6/04/20 Sharer's comments : Topinambour 
University District Farmers Market
Nash's Organic Produce
Near Seattle, Washington, United States4681 Sequim-Dumgeness Way Sequim WA 98382 360-681-7458 About 537 days ago, 2/08/20 Sharer's comments : An awesome substitute to potatoes in any recipe, these little guys go a long way. 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 572 days ago, 1/04/20 
Union Square Greenmarket
Norwich Meadows Farm
Near New York, United States105 Old Stone Rd Norwich NY 13815 607-336-7598 http://www.norwichmeadowsfarm.com About 572 days ago, 1/04/20 
Union Square Greenmarket
S&S.O. Produce Farms
Near New York, United StatesRD #2 Goshen, N.Y. 10924 About 572 days ago, 1/04/20 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes grown in NY! 
Union Square Greenmarket
Near New York, United StatesAbout 572 days ago, 1/04/20 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesCarpenteria, CA 1-805-431-7324 About 617 days ago, 11/20/19 Sharer's comments : Whatever you do....don't choke 
Borough Market
Elsey $ Bent
Near London, England, United KingdomAbout 625 days ago, 11/12/19 Sharer's comments : The most beautiful Sunchokes ! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesCarpenteria, CA 1-805-431-7324 About 638 days ago, 10/30/19 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes are in - be first chefs! |
