Jerusalem Artichokes

Hi Guys,

I've just taken over a plot with an abundance of Jerusalem Artichokes on it already.  They are approx. 4ft tall and I dug one up which seemed ok from the outside but was a bit on the hollow side when split open.

Are these still okay and when should they be harvested?  Please

All advice welcome.

Doug

All I'll say is, eat them with caution if you haven't tried them before.  You'll soon find out if you're one of those people for whom they cause... erm... digestive issues. 

When giving Jerusalem Artichokes to guests, its normally best to only feed to people who are not staying over!- unless it someone who is a bit 'snooty' who you are looking after only because you have too.....
My aunt is pone to feeding them liberally to people if she likes one half of the couple!- especially if you start the meal with an nice bowl of artichoke soup, as by about 10.30 the affects begin- helps encourage people to go home!

There are some that reckon they are not good to eat if you are diabetic as the 'after affects' are caused by them having high levels of insulin in them!

I got given some by a neighbouring plot holder, she did not tell me about this effect!! Is it all noise? Or is there a little (coughs) gift after too?? This is important, as if its the latter I may avoid eating them!!!

I may be wrong but if you add spice asofetida it counteracts the effect I have loads in the garden and on the plot that I give away as I don't like them.

titch - all wind and no substance in my experience

I've been consuming the paste from two teaspoons of slippery elm power at night for a while now.  J. artichokes have *nothing* on that.

The party was in full swing. The banner with the legend “Goodebye Windle 130 Gloriouse Years” was dripping a bit in the heat. Things were getting to the point where there was nothing to drink but the punch and nothing to eat but the strange yellow dip with the highly suspicious tortillas and nobody minded. The wizards chatted with the forced jolliness of people who see one another all day and are now seeing one another all evening.

{...}

“Another sausage, then?”
“What?”
“Sausage!”
“They give me terrible gas all night,” said Windle.
He considered this for a moment, and then took five.

Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett.