Sunchoke – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is sunchoke?

A sunchoke is a species of sunflower that is also referred to as a Jerusalem artichoke. They look like fresh ginger with a tan and rough exterior, and they have a nutty and tangy taste.

Where did sunchoke originate from?

Sunchokes originated from North America and were farmed by Native tribes who called them “sunroots.” Once they began being grown in Europe, the sunchoke became known as “Girasole,” which means sunflower in Latin.

What are the nutritional value and benefits of eating sunchoke?

Incorporating sunchokes into your daily nutrition will offer many benefits. Sunchokes are loaded with iron. In fact, one cup of sunchokes will give you a quarter of your daily iron intake. Sunchokes also have a high amount of protein, which is essential for building muscle and strength. They also have sulfur-containing amino acids taurine, methionine, homocysteine, and cysteine.

How is sunchoke grown?

Sunchokes need to be planted in full sun and in loose, well-drained soil. They are hardy and can grow almost anywhere. They do spread rapidly, so it’s best to plant them in a dedicated area.

It’s recommended that they are planted around 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost in late spring. In warmer climates, they can be planted throughout the winter, as long as temperatures remain at least 50°F. Sunchokes that are the result of a frost will have a sweeter taste. Their prime growing temperature is 65 to 90°F. It will take sunchokes 110 to 150 days to be ready to be harvested.

Sunchokes can be placed in tubers from 2 to 6in deep and 12 to 18in apart. Rows should be spaced about 36in apart. They can also be grown in containers about 18in apart; however, they will fill up space quickly.

Sunchokes require a regular water supply, but they can survive periods of drought once they’ve been established in their environment. Sunchokes will grow, spread, and divide easily. It’s recommended to use barriers to help keep them from spreading in unwanted areas.

The flower stalks should be cut off as soon as they appear; this helps encourage tuber production and limit further seeding and spreading of the plant. They’ll be ready to be harvested once the leaves die back. The tubers should be spaded with a fork. Any tubers left in the ground will regenerate and grow the following season.

When is sunchoke in season?

Sunchokes are available throughout the year; however, their prime growing season in North America is from October through April.

How do you pick out sunchoke at the grocery store?

When picking out sunchokes at the store, look for very few bumps and a surface that’s smooth, clean, and unblemished.

Shopping for groceries has never been more convenient through Instacart. After choosing a product and placing it in your cart, you can use the “Instructions” selection to tell your Instacart shopper about any preferences or special instructions on how to select the best sunchokes and root vegetables.

How to store sunchoke

Sunchokes will last for 7 to 10 days if they are refrigerated. They will last 2 to 5 months if they are kept in a cold and moist place. They can also be frozen or remain planted in the ground until they are needed. To preserve them in the ground, place a layer of mulch on top of the sunchokes.

How to tell if sunchoke is bad

The best way to tell if sunchokes have gone bad is if they develop a foul odor or appearance. Mold will also start appearing as they begin to decay.

What can I substitute for sunchoke?

The closest replacement that will have a similar flavor to the sunchoke is artichoke hearts. One of the most significant differences between the 2 vegetables is that artichoke hearts look very different and have a softer texture. It’s important not to use this replacement for a recipe that calls for raw sunchoke.

Jicama is a replacement that will work well in a recipe that uses sunchokes. They are crunchy and have a sweet flavor like a sweet potato. The only drawback is that they are rare vegetables, and it can be challenging to find jicama at the grocery store.

Water chestnuts will be an excellent substitute for sunchokes for a crisp texture, mild, and sweet flavor. Since their flavor is neutral, water chestnuts will fit well into any recipe that you’re using sunchokes. They work very well in stir-fry dishes.

Where to find and buy sunchoke

You can shop for sunchoke and other similar produce options through Instacart. Instacart makes it easy to use same-day pick-up or delivery to help manage your busy schedule. You can also have your shopper place your order at the door, and they’ll let you know once it arrives.

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