Chinese artichokes

[Sarah-b]

Thinking ahead: I was reading my Jane Grigson Vegetable Book and she rates Chinese artichokes quite highly. We don't grow Jerusalem artichokes because of the "wind" issue - what are these like. Does anyone here grow them? with any success?

Thanks,
Sarah

[Sarah-b]

[Palustris]

Dead easy to grow, impossible to get rid of,delicious to eat, impossible to digest.

[Doris_Pinks]

Sounds just like Jerusalem Artichokes then! (Which I have masses of!!! :o)

[Palustris]

Sorry misread original posting. My answer refers to Jerusalem artichokes. Chinese artichokes are the roots of Stachys affinis. So far we have failed utterly to find any other reference to their edible qualities. They are mentioned in the Martin Rixand Roger Phillips book. A supplier might be interesting to  find. Try Googling "Stachys affinis".

[Sarah-b]

T&M have them in their potato catalogue. Think I might try some... will let you know.

[Tenuse]

A friend gave me some last year, they are quite tasty in stir fries but quite small and wiggly - look like giant maggots!!

Ten x