The sunchoke is an unassuming, brown-skinned vegetable, resembling fresh ginger root, but which is actually a member of the sunflower family. Also known as "Jerusalem artichoke," it is not remotely related to the artichoke and it has nothing to do with the city of Jerusalem.
The crisp white flesh of the sunchoke has a nutty, sweet flavor and is great when used raw in salads or when boiled or steamed as a vegetable side dish like a potato. The unique carbohydrate content of the sunchoke makes it an excellent choice for diabetics.