Small history

This vegetable is not truly an artichoke but a variety of sunflower (Compositae), a hairy, tuber-bearing perennial native of North America, where it was cultivated by the Indians. Contrary to what the name implies, this vegetable has nothing also to do with Jerusalem. Because of its confusing moniker, modern-day growers have begun to call Jerusalem artichokes sunchokes , which is how they're often labeled in the produce section of many markets.