




Sunchokes
Inventory, 20 lbs : 4.19
This item was last sold on : 03/23/23
Description/Taste
Sunchokes are thin-skinned, knobby, and resemble the look of ginger. Measuring an average of 7.5 – 10 centimeters long, these tubers are the root stem of a variety of sunflower that grows up to ten feet tall. Sunchoke varieties can vary in appearance, some have “eyes” similar to potatoes, some are smooth, whereas others are more knobbed. The tubers have a light-beige to tan colored skin, with a crisp and juicy, ivory flesh. Raw Sunchokes have a texture similar to water chestnuts and a sweet, nutty flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Sunchokes are available year-round, with a peak season in the fall and early spring.
Current Facts
Sunchokes are the bulbous tubers of the plant known botanically as Helianthus tuberosus, a variety of sunflower. Sunchokes are also commonly known as Jerusalem artichoke, sunroot, earth apple, and topinambour. The plant is propagated primarily for its root, which can be consumed both raw and cooked. Native to North America, Sunchokes are one of the few vegetables to travel back to the Old World with explorers.
Nutritional Value
The inulin-rich Sunchokes contain no other type of carbohydrate, which is perhaps why some call it “the potato of diabetics.” The sunflower tubers are also high in fiber and have more potassium than most other vegetables.
Applications
Sunchokes can be used in place of potatoes in any recipe, though they have more moisture and no starch, so cooking times can differ. The knobby tuber is said to be best when roasted, though it can be served raw in salads, baked like fries, boiled and mashed or pureed into a soup. Serve raw sliced Sunchokes in a crudité with creamy or oily dips. To remove the thin skin, scrub the choke beneath running water and use a peeler or the edge of a spoon to remove skin around larger knobby areas. Sunchokes will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month if wrapped in plastic.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The name “Jerusalem artichoke” may have been a corruption of ‘Girasole Articiocco’ which is what the Sunchoke is said to have been called when it was handed out from the garden of Cardinal Farnese, a favorite of the Pope. It was said that all newly discovered plants were sent to the Pope where he would give them to his friends to cultivate, one of which was Cardinal Farnese who was growing Jerusalem artichokes in 1617 in Rome. The Sunchoke found popularity on the menus of famous 18th and 19th century French chefs, in particular Louis Eustache Ude, who used Sunchokes as his main ingredient in Palestine soup which is still made in French homes today.
Geography/History
Sunchokes are native to North America and were cultivated by Native tribes who called them “sunroots”. Once introduced to Europe, the Sunchoke became “Girasole”, the Latin name for sunflower. It is believed that the moniker “Jerusalem Artichoke” came from a corruption of this Italian name. It gained favor in French kitchens in the 17th century. Before potatoes were commonly planted, it was the Sunchoke that accompanied the meat dishes and stews of Europe and the United States. Still cultivated and grown in home gardens in France, the Sunchoke was most popular during the World Wars when food was rationed and Sunchokes, rutabagas, and other root vegetables were more common on the dinner plates. Now cultivated mainly in the south of France, Sunchokes still go by a variety of names like Sunroot, and Topinambour.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Hoxton Manor | San Diego CA | 760-586-9533 |
Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Full Moon | San Diego CA | 619-233-3711 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Lime in the Coconut | Chula Vista CA | 619-820-0961 |
Oside Kitchen Collaborative | Oceanside CA | 619-807-7161 mike |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
Zeca Trading Co. | San Diego CA | 619-410-1576 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Sycuan Casino - Bull & Bourbon | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Baja Cavi | Lomas de Valle Verde 22810 | 619-295-3172 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
Miguel Angel Mendoza | Maestros Ensenada, | 646-127-0277 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Mesa Agricola | Carlsbad CA | 707-758-6650 |
The Guild Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Comercializadora de Especialdides | Vista Hermosa Ej Chapuitepec B.C. | 646 128 7028 |
Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Pippo Pasta | La Jolla CA | 858-412-3432 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sunchokes. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Sunchokes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About 21 days ago, 3/04/23 Sharer's comments : At Hacienda Heights Farm ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 98 days ago, 12/17/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 115 days ago, 11/30/22 ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 133 days ago, 11/12/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Romeo Coleman
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-805-431-7324 About 136 days ago, 11/09/22 ![]() About 137 days ago, 11/08/22 Sharer's comments : Burbank Ca. There's a bunch here ![]() ![]()
Romeo Coleman
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-805-431-7324 About 143 days ago, 11/02/22 ![]() ![]()
Green Farm
Near San Diego, California, United StatesEl Cajon, CA About 147 days ago, 10/29/22 ![]() About 152 days ago, 10/24/22 Sharer's comments : Fresh Sunchoke at Union Square Green Market from Lani's Farm New York ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 154 days ago, 10/22/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 157 days ago, 10/19/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock st, #150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://www.specialtyproduce.com About 163 days ago, 10/13/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes From Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 171 days ago, 10/05/22 ![]() ![]() About 172 days ago, 10/04/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes From Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 174 days ago, 10/02/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 182 days ago, 9/24/22 ![]() ![]() About 377 days ago, 3/13/22 Sharer's comments : Root Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
RK Garden Fresh
Near San Diego, California, United StatesEl Cajon, CA About 392 days ago, 2/26/22 ![]() ![]()
Sunrise Organic Farm
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 412 days ago, 2/06/22 ![]() ![]() About 426 days ago, 1/23/22 Sharer's comments : Napa Cabbage from Her Produce ![]() ![]() About 426 days ago, 1/23/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 441 days ago, 1/08/22 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 444 days ago, 1/05/22 Sharer's comments : Root Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]() About 454 days ago, 12/26/21 Sharer's comments : Root Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 465 days ago, 12/15/21 ![]() ![]()
RK Garden Fresh
Near San Diego, California, United StatesEl Cajon, CA About 469 days ago, 12/11/21 ![]() About 475 days ago, 12/05/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]() About 489 days ago, 11/21/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 496 days ago, 11/14/21 ![]() ![]()
Chequamegon Food Co-op
Wisconsin, United States700 Main Street West Ashland WI 54806 715-682-8251 http://www.chequamegonfoodcoop.com/ About 505 days ago, 11/05/21 Sharer's comments : Grown in Michigan ![]() ![]() About 506 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Coleman Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 510 days ago, 10/31/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 511 days ago, 10/30/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Coleman Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Romeo Coleman
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-805-431-7324 About 514 days ago, 10/27/21 ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 517 days ago, 10/24/21 ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 521 days ago, 10/20/21 ![]() ![]()
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 525 days ago, 10/16/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 528 days ago, 10/13/21 ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 532 days ago, 10/09/21 ![]() ![]()
Alex Weiser
Near Santa Monica, California, United States511 Hill st. #205 Santa Monica Ca 90405 1-310-930-0903 About 535 days ago, 10/06/21 ![]() About 547 days ago, 9/24/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Elsey & Bent
Near London, England, United KingdomGW45+8F London, United Kingdom 447738009524 About 553 days ago, 9/18/21 ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 707 days ago, 4/17/21 ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 714 days ago, 4/10/21 ![]() ![]() About 722 days ago, 4/02/21 Sharer's comments : Sunchokes from Weiser Farms ![]() ![]()
Weiser Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 724 days ago, 3/31/21 |