Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) – Helianthus tuberosus

Perennial to as low as zone 3 or even zone 2. Usually grows to about 6 or 7 feet but can reach as high as 15 feet. Produces a nice yellow flower. Edible tubers grow prolifically with no maintenance, and are best harvested after the first couple frosts in the fall. In a small  They taste great when grated and cooked like hash-browns or used as a potato substitute.  Because of aggressiveness, the plant should be contained with a rhizome barrier and/or harvested annually. Leaves make a good fodder plant for goats and tubers for pigs and chickens. Tubers can be fermented to produce an alcohol that is said to be better quality than that produced from sugar beets.

Paul Wheaton’s compilation video about the many uses for sunchokes.