Crosnes Tubers - Stachys affinis, the Chinese artichoke, crosne, or chorogi - Delicious - Crunchy - Easy to Grow

The tubers of Chinese artichoke are generally small, two to three inches (5 to 7.5 cm) in length, and no more than half an inch (1.2 cm) wide. They are white, with a segmented appearance that makes them tempting to compare to grubs. They are crisp and slightly nutty tasting and are often eaten raw, but also can be cooked or pickled. All parts of the plant are edible.Chinese artichoke is one of those plants that you really have to grow yourself. It is rarely available in markets and it doesn’t store very well. In climates where the soil doesn’t freeze to significant depth, it is best harvested and used fresh through fall and winter. A fresh Chinese artichoke tuber has the texture of a radish, with a flavor that combines elements of radish, turnip, and walnutTubers can be eaten raw or cooked. All make a good addition to salads. Cooking is generally done for short periods of time. Stir frying works very well. Steaming or briefly boiling for two to four minutes also produces good results.I