If you do not know how to eat Jerusalem artichoke, then the presented article is intended specifically for you. In addition, we will tell you about the useful properties of this product, whether it has contraindications and how it should be prepared at home.
General information about the vegetable
Before telling you how to eat Jerusalem artichoke, you need to tell what this product is.
Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial tuberous plant of the genus Sunflower of the Astrov family. Its name comes from the name of the Brazilian Indians who belonged to the Tupinambas tribe.
The root system of this plant is powerful and quite deep. On the underground stolons, edible tubers of the same name are formed, which have various shapes, as well as white or slightly yellowish color (sometimes red or purple). To its taste Jerusalem artichoke very much resembles a turnip or a cabbage stalk (in its raw form).
Where does it grow?
Jerusalem artichoke, whose price is not very high (20-25 Russian rubles per kilogram), is quite common in our country. In the middle zone of the Russian Federation, such tubers tolerate winter well. In the wild, this plant is often found in North America.
Scope of Earthen Pear
Jerusalem artichoke root is a very valuable product. That is why such a plant is often grown both for fodder and technical, and for food purposes.
As for the leaves and stems, they are well silted. As a rule, they are collected at the end of September or in the first half of October with a special combine or mower.
Jerusalem artichoke root is also dug up in the fall and is often used in hunting farms, where it serves as an excellent food for moose, hares, wild boars and deer. It should be noted that often such a plant is grown in dachas as feed protection bands. As a rule, this landing is located along roads, edges or glades.
Potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, sweet potato - all these are root crops, which significantly increase the milk productivity of cows and sows, add milk yield, and also increase the fat content of milk. If you feed the birds with this product, they will begin to rush 2 or even 3 weeks ahead of schedule.
In what form do you use a vegetable?
Few people know how to eat Jerusalem artichoke. Such tubers are often consumed boiled, fried, stewed and even raw. For this, the roots of the plant of the same name need only be dug out of the ground (exactly like potatoes), and then washed and peeled.
How to use Jerusalem artichoke in cooking?
Now you know what a root crop like Jerusalem artichoke is. There are quite a few recipes where this outlandish vegetable is used. Salads, side dishes, second and first courses, as well as teas, compotes, coffee and other drinks are made from it. It is impossible not to say that the presented product is very often used for drying and canning.
Cooking Jerusalem artichoke does not take much time. If you decide to fry it in oil, then you should know that such a dish is quite similar to sweet potatoes. By the way, Jerusalem artichoke chips are very popular among young people.
Unlike ordinary potatoes, the dug up tubers of this plant are not able to be stored for too long. That is why they are quite difficult to stock up for the future.
In America, a dietary substitute for coffee, which is similar to soluble chicory, is often made from such a root crop . Also in the United States, Jerusalem artichoke juice is especially popular. It is obtained from the stems of a plant, which are crushed under a press.
Varieties and hybrids of Jerusalem artichoke
How to eat Jerusalem artichoke, we described above. However, I want to talk about the fact that today there are more than 300 hybrids of this plant. Jerusalem artichoke, the varieties of which are simply impossible to remember, can differ in the volume of green mass, a large crop of tubers, as well as special decorativeness and so on. In our country, the following species are most popular: Kiev White, Patat, Red, Maykop, Spindle-shaped, Skorospelka, White, Volzhsky, Nakhodka, Interest, Vadim, North Caucasus, Leningrad, etc.
Other names for Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which will be presented below, has many different names. It is called the earthen pear, and the sun root, and the Jerusalem artichoke, and even the tuberous sunflower. However, it should be noted that regardless of the name of this vegetable, its taste does not change at all. This is a sweet product from which you can easily and quickly make delicious dishes.
Earth pear (Jerusalem artichoke): useful properties
If you decide to grow this product at your dacha, then you were not mistaken. Indeed, the chemical composition of the tubers of the presented plant is akin to potatoes. But in their nutritional value, they are much superior to the mentioned vegetable. It should be noted that the earthen pear (Jerusalem artichoke), whose useful properties are undeniable, is several times more valuable than fodder beets.
According to experts, the sun root contains up to 3% protein, soluble inulin polysaccharide, mineral salts, trace elements, fructose and nitrogenous substances. Jerusalem artichoke is also rich in vitamin B1, C and carotene. By the way, the sugar content in earthen pear increases depending on how long the crop was harvested.
Jerusalem artichoke: medicinal properties and contraindications
Often patients ask their doctors the question of when to use this vegetable for food. We will answer it right now.
- Jerusalem artichoke (green mass and tubers) practically does not accumulate heavy metals. In this regard, this product can be eaten, even if it was grown in an environmentally disadvantaged region.
- If you use an earthen pear every day, then your body will very soon get rid of all the accumulated toxins and toxins. According to doctors, only 90 days of fresh use of this product (100 grams each) will help you get rid of some health problems. This is due to the fact that such tubers contain a lot of pectin, which contributes to the rapid removal of all toxins.
- Earth pear contains elements such as iron, potassium, and silicon. In this regard, it is recommended to use it especially often for those who have a deficiency of the mentioned substances.
- The complex of microelements contained in Jerusalem artichoke helps to significantly strengthen the heart and blood vessels. Such a vegetable will serve as an excellent substitute for drugs from a pharmacy, or rather potassium-magnesium tablets.
- Jerusalem artichoke juice and syrup, as well as fresh or heat-treated tubers are actively used in the treatment of anemia. This is due to the fact that this product contains a lot of iron.
- How to use Jerusalem artichoke? With unstable blood pressure it is recommended to eat 100 g per day in its raw form.
- Earth pear is very useful for dysbiosis, as it is able to normalize the intestinal microflora in a short time.
- The sun root protects the liver well, especially after long holidays with strong alcoholic drinks.
- Jerusalem artichoke (recipes using this vegetable will be presented below) is a unique product. The inulin contained in the vegetable is an excellent source of energy. Moreover, it is not able to cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. In this regard, it is recommended to use it for diabetics, as well as for those who dream of becoming slim and beautiful.
- As mentioned above, an earthen pear helps to normalize the intestinal microflora. That is why it is recommended to use during severe constipation.
- Jerusalem artichoke syrup is perhaps the best alternative to regular sugar.
- Sun tuber has anti-inflammatory properties. In this regard, it is ideal for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. So, Jerusalem artichoke treats gastritis, colitis and ulcers, and also promotes tissue healing; it is used for heartburn and as a choleretic agent.
Among other things, the root crop is actively used in cosmetology to rejuvenate and maintain skin tone.
Contraindications to the use of earthen pear
There are no contraindications to the use of this vegetable at present. However, experts argue that consuming such a product with caution should be given to those who regularly suffer from flatulence. If you belong to this category of people, then it is recommended that you include Jerusalem artichoke in your diet only a little and only several times a week. In other cases, the presented product is not contraindicated.
Rules for eating vegetables
How to use Jerusalem artichoke? Before using the root in food, it should be thoroughly washed in water. In this case, it is recommended to use a brush in order to remove all particles of the earth. It should be noted that the peel of an earthen pear is very thin. In this regard, it is not recommended to cut it. You only need to remove both ends of the tuber, as well as other damaged areas.
How to use sunny root for diabetes?
We have said above that such a vegetable is especially often recommended to be included in the diet of diabetics. But here a new question arises about how to eat Jerusalem artichoke with diabetes. In this case, it is possible to eat such a root crop in exactly the same way as ordinary potatoes, namely in boiled, fried, stewed or baked form (for example, with butter, meat, sour cream, etc.).
Consider a sample diet casserole recipe:
- A few Jerusalem artichoke tubers should be thoroughly washed under warm water with a brush, then grated gently and stew a little on the stove using a small amount of salt and vegetable oil.
- The resulting slurry must be distributed on the surface of the baking sheet, pour it with a mixture of low-fat milk, beaten eggs and semolina.
- The filled form must be placed in the oven and maintained at a temperature of 185 degrees for half an hour.
- Use the finished dish should be hot.
It should also be noted that caviar from Jerusalem artichoke is very pleasant to taste. It is prepared as follows:
- An earthen pear is washed in warm water, and then stewed and mashed with a blender or a meat grinder.
- When you get aromatic gruel, it should be seasoned with salt and other spices, and then mixed with tomato paste, sautéed carrots and onions.
- The finished dish is placed in a clay pot, closed and languished at 175 degrees in the oven for 60 minutes.
- The resulting caviar from earthen pear can even be preserved and stored for future use.
Cooking dishes from the sun tuber
There are many recipes where the main ingredient is an earthen pear. So that you can understand how to cook this product at home, we decided to present you some simple and affordable ways to create delicious dishes.
Summer Salad
If you do not want to cook a snack for a long time, then we propose to make the simplest and fastest salad. For him we need:
- Jerusalem artichoke medium size - 2 pcs.;
- small cucumber - 2 pcs.;
- medium-sized fresh tomato - 2 pcs.;
- salt and pepper - use to taste;
- linseed oil - a few large spoons;
- cilantro, parsley, fresh dill, onions - optional.
Cooking process
All these vegetables should be thoroughly washed, finely peeled (if necessary), and then proceed to chop. The ground pear needs to be grated, and finely chop the cucumber and tomatoes into cubes. After that, all the components must be combined in one bowl, seasoned with spices and herbs (including onions). In conclusion, they should be seasoned with linseed oil and mix thoroughly.
Ready vitamin salad is recommended to be served to the table before the second or first dish as a tasty and healthy snack.
I would also like to note that fresh earthen pear is ideally combined with sweet and sour apples, carrots, sauerkraut, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, onions and other ingredients. That is why completely different salads and other snacks can be made from the presented product.
Making juice
Freshly squeezed pear juice is a great drink for diabetics. You can squeeze it out using an ordinary juicer or grate it on a small grater, and then squeeze it out strongly.
Sun Tuber Soup
The first Jerusalem artichoke dish is well suited for both young children and adults. For its preparation, we will come in handy:
- cauliflower or broccoli - about 100 g;
- juicy carrot - 1 large piece;
- bitter bulb - a large head;
- celery - about 100 g;
- sweet pepper - 1 pc.;
- seasonings, spices and herbs - use at discretion.
Cooking method
To prepare the first dish, fill the pan with plain water for 2/3 parts, and then bring it to a boil, put the diced carrots, broccoli or cauliflower, onions, bell peppers, celery and Jerusalem artichoke. In this case, it is advisable to grate the tuber or cut into medium pieces. Cooking diet soup is recommended on low heat for about 12 minutes.
After the dish is fully cooked and all the vegetables are soft, it should be seasoned with fresh herbs, and then put on plates and hotly presented to the dining table. If you want to get a more aromatic dinner, then in the broth you can additionally put fresh champignons or any other mushrooms.
Ground Pear Coffee
As you noticed, cooking Jerusalem artichoke does not take much time. Boil, stew or fry it should be about ¼ hour. By the way, diet coffee is often made from it. To prepare it, the tubers are washed well in hot water (using a brush), and then poured with boiling water and left in this form for three minutes. After the specified time, all the liquid is drained, and the sun tuber is dried.
After the earth pear has lost all moisture, it is cut and fried in a pan without adding any oils. At the end, the finished product is ground in a coffee grinder. Brew it in exactly the same way as regular coffee.
Jerusalem artichoke - an excellent substitute for potatoes!
If for some reason you cannot eat potatoes, then it can easily be replaced with an earthen pear. By its taste, fried, boiled or baked Jerusalem artichoke practically does not differ in any way from the mentioned vegetable. Although raw it is quite difficult to compare with potatoes. Indeed, in its raw form, it is more like a turnip or a cabbage stalk.
So, if you want to get tasty and satisfying pancakes, then we suggest using the following recipe. It will require:
- large carrot - 1 pc.;
- Jerusalem artichoke - 2 pcs.;
- large fresh egg - 2 pcs.;
- pumpkin - a slice per 100 g;
- grated onions - a small head;
- white flour - a pair of dessert spoons;
- small salt - a pinch;
- vegetable oil - 55-75 ml (for frying products).
Kneading
The dough for vegetable pancakes should be thick and viscous. To do this, peel all the vegetables, and then grate them on a coarse grater. Next, they need to add fresh eggs, salt and flour.
Frying products in a pan
After obtaining a uniform viscous dough, you can immediately start frying it. To do this, heat the pan with oil, and then lay out the base with a large spoon. Frying Jerusalem artichoke pancakes is required in exactly the same way as ordinary potato products.
The finished dish must be served at the dining table in a warm condition, along with sour cream and tomato sauce. Good appetite!