Japanese ginger is also called Jerusalem artichoke. There are two reasons why it is called Guizi Ginger. The first is because its appearance is very similar to the ginger we usually eat, and the second reason is because it is a variety imported from abroad. It was brought to the country when the Germans occupied Qingdao. People at that time named this plant Guizijing out of hatred for the invaders.
Old people who have experienced the famine years still remember it vividly. People were starving and their eyes were red. Everything that can be eaten is caught in one fell swoop. Bark, grass roots, and wild vegetables are all life-saving food.
It would be great if a family could eat sorghum noodles, but white rice noodles were even more unattainable. There is only a small amount of food every year, but there are many people eating. So people often dig a crop called "Yangjiang", which is what we call ghost ginger.
Jerusalem artichoke is crunchy and sweet, and can be eaten stir-fried or pickled into pickles. It is crispy and slightly spicy. In years of famine, this "dish" is what you rely on to survive. So why is Guizi ginger called Guizi ginger?
Why is Guizi ginger called Guizi ginger
A long time ago, Jerusalem artichoke was rarely grown in batches and was a wild plant. Some places are called "Yangjiang", and some places are also called "Guizijian". Why is it called this name? The first is that based on its appearance, the fruit produced underground looks very much like ginger.
The second is the varieties introduced from abroad. When the Germans occupied Qingdao, they brought this plant to China. Because Jerusalem artichoke has such strong vitality, it spread far and wide in just a few years. Out of hatred for the invaders, people named him "Guizijian". The specific authenticity needs to be verified, and those with knowledge can leave a message for discussion.
Some time later, living conditions gradually improved, and around 1998, Jerusalem artichoke appeared. At that time, I no longer had to worry about food and drink. Every weekend, my friends and I would often meet up to dig Jerusalem artichokes.
I had nothing to do at that time, and it would be a pity not to dig. Jerusalem artichokes are very big, and if they are accidentally damaged, the juice will leak out. Anyway, I don’t like to eat this stuff, I just dig it up and play with it. In rural areas, it is usually pickled and eaten as pickles.
I dig Jerusalem artichokes every year, but I can’t get enough of them, and more and more. I plant 10 trees in the first year, and maybe 50 in the second year. Its stems are 1-3 meters high and connected to the roots underground. They survive the winter and continue to grow in spring.
Since 2000, when our friends have grown up, no one digs Jerusalem artichokes anymore. Why? Everyone has enough to eat and drink, living conditions have improved, and there is still so much fresh vegetables to eat, who would still want to eat wild vegetables?
The Jerusalem artichokes grow so fast, they grow into huge tracts. Sometimes, people even think it is an obstruction and affects the harvest of crops, so they have to be cleaned every year. Even after spraying pesticides designed specifically for root rot, in just two or three years, wild Jerusalem artichokes completely disappeared, and many people didn't even have time to recognize them.
I can’t say that there is none at all across the country, but most of the Jerusalem artichokes in front of and behind the houses are gone. I haven’t seen them in more than ten years. If you pay attention, it may only be found in places that sell pickles.
The Jerusalem artichoke is crispy and delicious when pickled. It is particularly delicious, slightly spicy but not sweet, and is appetizing for meals. Many elderly people may shop online for nostalgia. But for young people, it does seem a bit dismissive. I feel like I was given away for free, and the life-saving food I once had is going to be depleted.