Darina Allen looks at some delicious dishes using Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes curious nutty flavour is reminiscent of an artichoke heart which has a wonderful affinity with fish particularly mussels and scallops, writes Darina Allen.

THIS is becoming a habit — a few weeks ago I wrote a column on the swede turnip, a humble inexpensive and ridiculously versatile winter root. It got a tremendous response, so this week I’m going to continue in the same vein and showcase Jerusalem artichokes. I know this is a vegetable that some may not have heard of but it’s really worth seeking out, better still plant some in your own garden. It’s a kind of a miracle veg; you plant one this year there will be at least 10 or 12 next year. They look like knobbly potatoes; they remain in the ground all winter and vary in colour from white to golden to purple.