Sweet Potatoes

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Sweet Potatoes - About

Sweet potatoes are not in the potato family actually, and while they are often referred to as yams, they are not a true yam. Confused…you should be. Even the U.S.D.A. has tried to undo this confusion by forcing producers using the word Yam” on their product to use the words ”Sweet Potato” as well on the same label. True yams are from Africa and Asia and look nothing like the yams or sweet potatoes we know.

Sweet potatoes are a flowering vine like plant in the morning glory family. They are a starchy, potato like tuberous root with edible leaves and have many culinary uses. Their flesh can range from off white to yellow, orange and even purple. Their skin is smooth and can have the same range of colors including brown.

The sweet potato is very versatile and can be candied, made into pies, fried, baked, boiled, mashed, microwaved, grilled, toasted, sautéed, steamed and eaten raw. They are wonderful in slaws, excellent combined with parsnips or carrots and mashed, make a unique hash, tasty garnishes, healthy snacks, colorful in stir fries and they work well in sweet preparations blending well with cinnamon, vanilla, honey, raisins, and a variety of fruits and citrus.

In a survey by the NCSPC, sweet potatoes ranked highest compared to other vegetables for fiber content, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins’ A and C, iron and calcium. Colorful, tasty, versatile and good for you. What are we waiting for?

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