You'll find two colors on the market: pink or beige, but the color has no effect on the flavor. It's easily recognizable by its irregular shape.

Choose Jerusalem artichokes that are clean, very firm and smooth-looking. Avoid tubers that are too knotty, which would make them harder to peel.

You can store them in your vegetable crisper in the refrigerator, but be careful: they tend to dry out quickly, losing their principal qualities.

To prevent dehydration, cover them with slightly damp paper.

Some people recommend not peeling them before cooking them, but simply brushing them well under water. I tried this method, but I wasn't convinced, because to my mind you lose the subtlety of their flavor and they become much stronger. So I peel them with a small knife and immerse them immediately into water with a little lemon juice to keep them from darkening. Then they can be prepared in numerous ways. Grated or sliced into thin rounds and served raw, they're a real treat because you can enjoy their artichoke flavor and refreshing crunchy texture. To get the most from them, season them at the last moment, just before serving.

Jerusalem artichokes like vinaigrettes with character: made with lemon, fine vinegars such as mead vinegar or verjuice, and oils like olive, pistachio or almond oil. They can be cooked in various ways: steamed (en papillote), cooked in a covered pan with a little water and butter, sautéed or boiled in well-salted water.

Leave them slightly crunchy, which will bring out their best (unless you plan to make a purée or soup). One of the great classics at La Côte Saint-Jacques is Jerusalem artichokes with truffle. In this recipe, it is cut into small pieces, cooked in water, drained and bound with reduced cream to which you add some truffle. Even without the truffle, it's excellent and I encourage you to try it. However, don't cook the Jerusalem artichokes directly in the milk or cream because they turn quickly. Soups, purées and gratins are equally remarkable.

The refinement of its flavor allows the Jerusalem artichoke to be combined with numerous seafoods: fish, of course, but I also have a soft spot for pairing it with scallops.

It is also well-suited to accompanying meats, offal and game, but in particular I suggest veal and foie gras that go with it perfectly.