Roasted Sunchokes with Caramelized Shallots and Baby Sweet Peppers
Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, grow underground as roots do, and can be eaten many ways: sliced, roasted, steamed, puréed, mashed…we could go on and on! They are sweet, earthy and nutty. Some say their flavor is not unlike that of an artichoke, but that’s not how they got their name (something to research in your spare time).
Sunchokes are an excellent alternative or substitute for potatoes because they’re lower in starch and contain inulin, a carbohydrate our bodies can’t digest. This makes them effective for controlling blood sugar, though we should warn you that inulin can also cause some stomachs to rumble if they’re sensitive to inulin, so it is best to ease into sunchokes if you’ve never had them before. They’re also gluten-free!
Below is a recipe for Roasted Sunchokes with Caramelized Shallots and Baby Sweet Peppers. We have a few other serving suggestions too, including:
Sunchokes as part of a charcuterie spread
Sunchoke purée served with pan-seared salmon and local asparagus
Let us know if the comments if you try any of these recipes!
Roasted Sunchokes with Caramelized Shallots and Baby Sweet Peppers
Ingredients
- About 4 to 5 sunchokes rinsed, scrubbed and dried well
- 3 Tbsp Sigona’s Fresh Press extra virgin olive oil such as the 2022 Italian Nocellara or Greek Kalamata Reserve, plus more for drizzling
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large shallot
- 4 sweet baby peppers
- Half a fresh lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut the sunchokes into 2″ chunks. Toss them with 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes (shake the pan half way through) or until sunchokes are fork tender and nicely browned.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the shallots and peppers. Season with salt and pepper and stir to coat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, add in the roasted sunchokes and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are caramelized and the peppers are tender and slightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. If necessary, add a tablespoon or so of water to the pan to remove any brown bits from the bottom of the pan while stirring.
- To plate: Pile the sunchoke mixture on a serving plate. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, to taste, and finish the dish with a drizzle of olive oil.
