What is up with Jerusalem Artichoke?

So I've been working my way through the past years worth of BBC Gardeners Question Time archive (Art show time, I'm busy hanging 900 students worth of art onto backing paper).. and I'd estimate 95% of the shows have mentioned Jerusalem Artichokes as the solution to some problem or another.  What to plant on a windy allotment, an edible to encourage pollinators, something to grow near a hedge, etc.  Do you grow them?  I've never tired, due to their vapor inducing properties, but are they worth a second consideration?  Are they a bit like unearthing potatoes?