German Sunchoke Salad

I want to start off this blog with a disclaimer: EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

German Sunchoke Salad (my twist on German Potato Salad) - Recipe below!

Harsh... I know.... but read more and you will find that the sunchoke (also known as the jerusalem artichoke) is a ridiculously delicious tuber with some... ridiculously stinky side affects.

Sunchokes (or Jerusalem Artichokes)

The sunchoke is a tuber that resembles ginger root, has the texture of a potato and tastes very similar to an artichoke.  Eat the Seasons says the sunchoke plant is native to North America (specifically the Cape Cod area) and is closely related to the sunflower plant. ((Your random Jeopardy fact for the day!!))

I like to eat sunchokes with the skin on

Sunchokes are relatively inexpensive and are very healthy however they aren't widely used... because... to be frank... they make you fart.  A lot!  You see, sunchokes are very rich in inulin (a starching substance also found wheat, onions, bananas and asparagus.)  Inulin is great!  It helps with high cholesterol and triglycerides as well as weight-loss.  It can do this because it is never really absorbed in your stomach... it goes straight to your bowels where very important digestive bacteria LOVE it!  BUT... and this is a big but... in doing so the bacteria creates a lot of gas and well... you get the picture!

Roasted sunchokes are so good!

However, don't be scared of this tooting causing tuber!  It is so tasty and easy to prepare!!!  Just don't eat them on your wedding day, before you board an airplane or have a job interview!  While I usually puree sunchokes into a lucious soup or simply roast them with some olive oil, salt and pepper... I wanted to try something a little different.  

sliced sunchokes

My favorite whole grain mustard!

Mmmmm.... crispy bacon!

My fiance Joe loves German Potato Salad and so do I.  There is something about the tangy dressing, bacon (oh.... bacon) and onions that make my mouth water!  So I thought... why not do it with sunchokes instead!

Perfect with grilled steaks!

GERMAN SUNCHOKE SALAD

adapted from All Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 pound sunchokes, scrubbed and cleaned
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 3 green onions, green and white parts thinly sliced
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Leaving the skin on, slice sunchokes in 1/4 to 1/8 inch slices.  Toss with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper then back for 30 mins or until sunchokes are fork tender.
• Meanwhile, slice bacon into thin strips.  Add bacon to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until crispy.  Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside.  Discard all but 1 teaspoon of bacon grease in the pan.
• Add onion to the pan and cook until browned.  In a small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar and mustard.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Once onions are ready add in the vinegar mixture, roasted sunchokes and half of the bacon.  Toss to combine.
• Pour german sunchoke salad into a serving platter and top with remaining bacon and green onions.  Serve hot or warm.  Enjoy!