Easy Roasted Sunchokes Recipe

Posted on February 17, 2010

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A few years ago, I read a blog post where the author declared their undying love for sunchokes, aka Jerusalem artichokes. I’d never seen or heard of this … thing (not knowing what it was, I couldn’t decide if it was a vegetable or what). Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I discovered sunchokes for sale in a new local Whole Foods store. Of course I bought them right away and rushed home to cook them, right? Well, no. Actually, I made a mental note to purchase them next time and picked up my beloved daikon radishes instead.

Last week, I found myself back at the same Whole Foods and grabbed about a pound of sunchokes to try.

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Sunchokes are a root vegetable that looks a lot like a potato with a hint of a knobby ginger root. Raw sunchokes are said to have the texture of water chestnuts, though I felt like it was little more like a raw radish (the red, round kind). When you cook them, they get creamy and smooth. The taste? They don’t have any overwhelming taste when raw (read: kind of bland) but when roasted, they take on a slight sweetness with hints of potato and artichoke heart. Actually, my husband and I agreed that the taste bears a stunning likeness to Terra chips.

I think the true test of a new food (and yes, this was a new food to me) is whether you would eat it again. I definitely will. And as with most veggies, they taste great when roasted. These will likely hit my table again this weekend.

Easy Roasted Sunchokes
serves 2

This recipe is a cinch to double or triple to serve more people.

1 lb sunchokes
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Rinse the sunchokes under cold water, scrubbing lightly to remove any dirt. Cut into quarters and place onto the baking sheet. Don’t over-crowd them though, they need their space.

Drizzle the sunchokes with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Cook for 35-45 minutes, stirring once or twice.

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Comments

6 Responses to “Easy Roasted Sunchokes Recipe”

  1. Meghan on February 17th, 2010 8:35 pm

    I’ve never heard of these! I will definitely be on the lookout – a veggie that tastes like a potato and an artichoke sounds fantastic!
    Meghan´s last blog ..Pico de Gallo Chicken Quesadillas My ComLuv Profile

  2. Amanda on February 18th, 2010 2:16 pm

    You are such a good teacher… I knew nothing about this veggie… now I feel much more likely to try them!

  3. The Teacher Cooks on February 18th, 2010 2:25 pm

    I have never tried these. I am bookmarking the recipe so when I do see sunchokes at the grocery I will have the perfect recipe.

  4. Sarah Caron on February 18th, 2010 2:42 pm

    Thank you all for your comments!

    Amanda, that is the best compliment I have received in a long, long time. Thank you for making my day!

  5. Cate O'Malley on February 18th, 2010 2:49 pm

    Love the first picture! Never had sunchokes before, but will definitely keep an eye out for them.
    Cate O’Malley´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday My ComLuv Profile

  6. Maria on February 19th, 2010 2:28 pm

    Love this post. The sunchokes look amazing!
    Maria´s last blog ..2peas3-0 My ComLuv Profile

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