When it comes to root vegetables, there’s nothing more versatile than the mighty sweet potato. This tasty tuber can be used in infinite ways, from side dish to dinner to even dessert! As cookbook authors, this is one of our top ingredients to use in dishes. There’s so much more to this potato than the Thanksgiving casserole. Try it as fries, mashed, chili, stuffed, loaded: the sweet savory combo always hits the spot. Here are all our most popular sweet potato recipes for using this orange veggie! (Or, head to our top 20 Vegan Sweet Potato Recipes.)
And now…the top must-try sweet potato recipes!
Buying sweet potatoes
What to look for when you head to the store for these sweet potato recipes? Here are a few pointers on purchasing these spuds: Also try: Boiled Sweet Potatoes Also try: Quick Baked Sweet Potato Also try: Mexican Sweet Potatoes
Size: Small to medium sweet potatoes are easiest to work with: they’re easier to cut and take less time to bake (if baked whole). Skin: Look for skin that has no bruises or cracks. Type: There are many types of sweet potatoes: some have orange flesh and some have white flesh. The two main types of orange flesh potatoes you’ll find at the store are Jewel, which has a light brown-orange skin and Red Garnet, which has red skin and is slightly thinner. We like Jewel sweet potatoes (pictured below), but these recipes work with any type of orange-fleshed potato. Do not use white flesh potatoes for the recipes above, because they cook differently.
Yams vs. sweet potatoes: the difference
What’s the difference between a yam and a sweet potato? Yams are native to Africa and Asia. Compared to sweet potatoes, they’re starchier and drier and have very tough skin. They’re carried in more grocery stores these days, but you’d probably find them in the international and specialty markets. Sometimes grocery stories in the US mislabel sweet potatoes as yams. For the recipes above, pick from what your grocery labels as “sweet potato”. Make sure it’s an orange flesh sweet potato. Don’t forget about farmers markets: they’re a great place to find sweet potatoes as well!
A few more ideas
Didn’t see a recipe that works for you? Here are a few more ideas for using this tasty tuber:
Try showy Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese & Lentils Grab a Sweet Potato Pizza with Brie Make Loaded Sweet Potato Skins
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