Jerusalem Artichokes/Sunchokes

Jerusalem artichokes, a.k.a. sunchokes, are the crisp, white tubers of a type of sunflower. They grow to heights over seven feet tall and produce numerous black-eyed Susan-type flowers that have a light fragrance reminiscent of chocolate.

They grow well in my sandy southern garden, and I have also dug them growing wild in the thick grass beside the Aroostook River in Northern Maine…these things will grow just about anywhere! They simply need to be planted a couple inches down in decent, well-drained soil, and watered moderately in very dry conditions until established. Then, they just keep self-sowing for a perpetual patch. They can be dug like potatoes from fall through the winter, and they keep much better in the ground where they were grown than in the refrigerator.

They can be eaten raw, boiled, or roasted. I like the flavor of the tuber, though they aren’t my favorite vegetable. I will occasionally throw them in with a pot roast, or throw a few raw chopped tubers into salads. I grow them because they are nutritious and prolific, and in the event of an emergency food situation, they are almost always available to eat!

Jerusalem artichokes are also useful as livestock feed, both plant and tuber. In the summer I will occasionally cut a few stocks 1/3 down and feed them to our goats as a treat, which they seem to appreciate. And, they will eat the tubers as well. Again, it is nice to have these on hand in the event of an emergency food situation.

Several words of caution. #1 Some people do not digest Jerusalem Artichokes very well, and may have an issue with flatulence. I always recommend to the people I give the tubers that they should only have small helpings at first to see how things go. A friend of mine tried a few in a salad, with no ill effects. The next step up was a pot of boiled tubers in a cream sauce. The next morning, I e-mailed her to see how things went. She replied “I don’t want to talk about it. I need to heal!” Wow…that bad, huh? Now she won’t touch them with a ten foot pole as far as eating goes, though still grows them for the flowers. I am a terrible friend, because even as I type I am still laughing so hard tears are coming out!

#2 Warning…only plant them where you know you will want them, as once they are established, it is hard to un-establish them!

I dug the tubers in the picture about an hour ago, and it only took me about a minute. I plan to boil them in with my cabbage, potatoes and ham tonight.

Moving Pigs!

When I was a child, my parents raised pigs on our little farm. And, as an adult, we have raised pigs on our little farm. They are far from my favorite farm animal to deal with on the property, but on my plate they go really well with toast and two eggs over-easy!
Pigs have an idea of what they want to do, and its not always what the farmer wants them to do. So, we have to work with their natural tendencies. Sometimes, you have to move a pig from one area to another. Its not as easy as putting a leash on it and leading it. An untrained pig does not lead well, and I don't personally know of any farmer that takes the time to give much training to an animal that lives 6-8 months, from birth to freezer!!
The first thing you need to move a pig is...an empty bucket. Ok, technically, the first thing you need is a pig, but let's just say I am assuming that is already available! You will need two people to carry out the plan...the bucket-holder and the pig-steerer. Both people enter the pen...the pig should be interested in the bucket, as most the time, a bucket = food. The person with the bucket needs to place the bucket over the pig's head. When the pig realizes that no food is in the bucket, they will immediately try to back out of the bucket. Keep the bucket over the pig's head, and the other person must now place a hand on either side of the pig's hindquarters and steer the pig, backwards, where you want it to go. As long as the bucket is over the pig's head, it should be backing up...this is usually a fairly rapid process, so be ready! It is also a fairly loud process, as the pig will be unhappy...and unhappy pigs are loud pigs! Don't expect a straight path, either. Your route will generally look like you were being guided by a drunken sailor on rough seas! But...the point is...the pig gets to where its going without getting hurt, except maybe its pride. A little food or a back scratching will fix that.

I Make Horse Calls: Book Review

I attended the Alabama Horse Fair earlier this month and while there, I met the author of the book, I Make Horse Calls, Marcia Thibeault, DVM.  She was working her booth selling the books that she has written.  After speaking with her about her books, I purchased the first book in her series:  I Make Horse Calls, Living a Dream With Horses.  She said many moms have purchased the book for their homeschooling children.  She also assured me that I would not have to worry about the language in the book, unlike other veterinarians that have written books.  And she was right!

This books is VERY informative without being dry.  Her heart is to teach about horse care and she succeeds, even with this book just like she did as a veterinarian.  She often uses common terminology and then educates one on the proper medical terminology.  She teaches about the importance of having a relationship with your veterinarian and the benefits of regular horse care.  She shares her real life experience of progressing to and through vet school.  And she does all of this while maintaining the reader's interest and being entertaining!  That equals one talented author!

So, do I recommend this book?  YES!  My thirteen year old son will be the next to read this book and then we will read it as a family read-a-loud.  More importantly, I'm looking forward to purchasing the next book in her series:  More Horse Calls A Dream Fulfilled

Once you read her book, share with me your favorite story.  I would love to hear from you!