Just a Jerusalem artichoke

On Thursday evening my sister-in-law had asked whether I had any ideas of what she could do with the Jerusalem artichokes that had arrived in her veg box that week. I suggested roasting them with other vegetables or putting them in a stew or a casserole. On Friday morning my she went off early to do a half-day shift at the hospital. I decided that I would make some lunch for when she returned. I remembered the Jerusalem artichokes lingering in the fridge and wondered about soup.

I found a number of recipes online and combined a couple. The soup was delicious. What none of the recipes did was warn you of the side effects. I don’t think I have ever known anything like this. In fact as we spent the evening in greater and greater discomfort, through laughter and frequent trips to the loo, we started to research them. Various sites suggested that if you have not eaten them in a while, then they should be introduced slowly and carefully. Apparently, whilst good for you, the side effects can be extremely unpleasant. And yes this certainly was the case.

“But in my judgement, which way soever they be drest and eaten they stir up and cause a filthie loathsome stinking winde with the bodie, thereby causing the belly to be much pained and tormented, and are more fit for swine than for men.” John Goodyear, a British farmer back in the early 1600s. Luckily we did see the funny side.

The weekend has been about catching up with family and friends which has been great. I have made progress with the jumper. On Friday night I thought I had made a mistake. Thankfully not, so no undoing was needed.

Tomorrow I leave Devon and head back to the Midlands. Plymouth has a brilliant gluten free fish and chip shop so this evening we went and bought a take-away, we then sat on the Hoe looking out to sea eating our supper. It was wonderful. I ate too much but it was just too good to leave.

Until tomorrow…