The New Complete Book of Food

 The New Complete Book of Food

Diets That May Restrict or Exclude This Food

Low-sodium diet

Buying This Food

Look for: Firm clean roots with no soft or bruised patches.

Storing This Food

Refrigerate Jerusalem artichokes in plastic bags, covered containers or the vegetable crisper

to protect their moisture and keep them fresh.

Preparing This Food

When you slice a Jerusalem artichoke, you tear cell walls, releasing polyphenoloxidase, an

enzyme that converts phenols to brown compounds that darken the flesh. You can slow the

reaction (but not stop it completely) by painting the cut surface with a solution of lemon juice

or vinegar and water.

What Happens When You Cook This Food

In cooking, the starch granules in the Jerusalem artichoke absorb water, swell, and eventu-

ally rupture, softening the root and releasing the nutrients inside.

How Other Kinds of Processing Affect This Food

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Medical Uses and/or Benefits

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Adverse Effects Associated with This Food

Some people are unable to properly digest inulin, the carbohydrate in the Jerusalem arti-

choke. For them, eating this tuber raw may cause painful gas. Cooking breaks down inulin

and improves digestibility.

Food/Drug Interactions

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