JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (Helianthus tuberosus)
Published: 2015-03-14Tags: алелопатия, гулия, растения-компаньони, другаруване
Translation
This is a translation of a Bulgarian-language post. It conveys the content faithfully but is not the author's original English writing.
Also called the earth apple, it is in fact a kind of sunflower that comes from America, and its underground part was traditionally used as food by Native Americans. It can reach up to 4 metres!
It is a good companion for corn. Its main component is inulin — a tasteless white polysaccharide dissolved in the juices of the tubers, which can be processed into a sugar called levulose. This is extremely important for diabetics, because it is very nutritious and is the sweetest of the known natural sugars. Levulose is also found in most fruit, but in combination with dextrose, which diabetics should not consume — whereas the Jerusalem artichoke contains only levulose.
The Jerusalem artichoke — rich in nutrients and vitamins — can be eaten raw, in salads, or cooked in various dishes.
(Photo: "outstanding in the garden")