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Yacon is another one of those edible perennial tubers from the Andees. It is closely related to Jerusalem artichokes and the sunflower, while it’s daisy like yellow flowers and tropical leaves make for a beautiful ornamental to grow in any garden. The tubers are crisp, juicy and slightly sweet after curing, the fruit of the winter months as they are best eaten raw like an apple. It is low in calories and contains inulin which is a great sweetener for diabetics which makes it the main ingredient in a lot of diabetic products. It makes for a great snack food especially for children! It can easily be grown outdoors, however it isn’t frost hardy so plant it out after the chance of a late frost.
In cold temperate climates the stems and foliage dies back completely in the winter once temperatures below frost are reached. All it’s energy is stored safely underground in the tubers until it gets warmer again in spring time. If planted in a well mulched garden it doesn’t need to be taken up for the winter and stored indoors, as the mulch will protect the tubers from the frost. They can also be stored in a well ventilated open container filled with potting compost or peat to keep the air off the tubers. The tubers also be process into a well known Yacon syrup for sweetening deserts or tea. Each of the growing tips can grow into one large that will give you a few edible tubers and some growing tips or starts.
Resources:
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Polymnia+sonchifolia
