These knobbly little fellas are in season this time of the year, (December). They are not blessed with a wide range of useful nutrients. However they do contain the important mineral potassium in amounts that significantly contribute to your daily requirement and they are high in a carbohydrate called inulin.
Inulin is not absorbed by the body, so you might ask what’s the point?
The gut is of primary importance to overall health. Think about it; if your gut isn’t working optimally you will possibly be challenged when absorbing all the nutrients in the food you eat. This is where foods like Jerusalem Artichokes come in; they help to enhance the environment of the beneficial bacteria in the gut. However these advantages can cause most folk embarrassment when it comes to digestion as they tend to encourage wind in most people.
I find this food a bit of a challenge because whilst they are useful to gut health overall I’m not sure that their nutty flavour (they are related to sunflower family) and potassium levels are worth making room on the plate for?
Perhaps though, it is always worth experiencing new foods and broadening your culinary horizons. So why not try so Jerusalem Artichokes? Commonly they are made up a soup, or in a gratin (baked in cheesy sauce) or roasted. I shall explore the possibilities and get back to you.
