Sunchoke Multiplexity
Subject: Math, Social Studies
Objectives/Curriculum Tie-Ins: Multiply multi-digit numbers by 2 digit numbers, Solve problems using multiplication, Measurement, Native Americans, Explorers
Lesson Overview:
Discuss history of Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes as a Native American food. Slice sunchokes using a mandolin or slicer then sauté in olive oil. Work the math sheet to review crop yield, multiplication and measurements.
Materials:
Ingredients:
• sunchokes
• olive oil
Equipment:
- Camp stove or heat source, fire extinguisher
- hot pads,
- mandolin or slicer
- spatula or spoon,
- pan (not iron?),
- plates, silverware, napkins,
- cutting surface (board or plates),
- wipes for table,
- paper towels,
- cookie sheets,
- knife,
- garbage bag
Paperwork:
- Lesson Plan
- Worksheet
- Clipboard/pencils
Ancillary Teaching Materials: none
Procedures/Lesson details:
- The sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke is native to eastern N. America
- Related to the sunflower, it is a Heliotrope so it turns towards the sun as the sun moves.
- Many theories on the different names. Perhaps came from the Italian word “girasole” for sunflower. Eventually it was pronounced wrong and changed to Jerusalem. Some believe it was called an artichoke because it resembled a thistle plant. In 1906 renamed sunchoke as marketing gimmick to sell better.
- Sir Walter Raleigh found the Native Americans cultivating sunchokes in what is now Virginia in 1585. The Europeans eventually named it the Canada or French potato.
- For many years, the sunchoke was shunned because people linked it to leprosy and thought the tuber looked like the deformed fingers caused by the disease. In reality, it looks a bit like ginger root.
- Quite impressive crop yield. Each sunchoke tuber can make an additional 75 to as many as 200 tubers.
- Sweet, nutty taste but also contains inulin, a chemical which cannot be broken down by the human digestive system, but can cause flatulence in large amounts. Good for people who can’t eat sugar, like diabetics.
Sources:
a. About.com Jerusalem artichokes/sunchokes history: http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/sunchokehistory.htm
b. Wikipedia Jerusalem artichokes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_artichoke
c. Vegetarians in paradise the Jerusalem artichoke caper:
Description: Lesson using Sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes, a Native American food. Working with multiplication and measurements.