Enter the magical world of sweet potatoes, the tuber that starts out on a vine and belongs to the morning glory family. Exploring and welcoming nostalgia are the keys to devouring the oblong joy.
First, we must have a chat about yams. Thanks to the government agency that manages agriculture, Americans are in a constant state of confusion because sellers use the word yam to seduce sweet potato buyers. In April McGreger‘s cookbook Sweet Potatoes, she says that “in the 1930s when the USDA allowed Louisiana to brand the moist, bright orange Puerto Rican variety of sweet potato as a yam, Louisiana hoped to distinguish its sweet potato from the then prevalent paler, drier varieties grown in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.” Now, we are still holding on to the wrong noun. Most African diaspora yams are enormous and will sometimes be already cut and with flesh visible. They are not kin to the Southern standout and belong to another flower plant species.
Tunde Wey a Nigerian-born, New Orleans-based chef/writer has a relationship with both tubers, and says, “I ate both in Lagos.” My personal memory of sweet potatoes centers around pies and other dessert recipes, but the ‘zine cookbook Short Stacks, Volume 6 exposed me to so much more. Move over candied sweet potatoes and make room for twice-baked sweet potatoes with tahini. Start dreaming!
Jewel
The workhorse and the queen mother for sweet potato pies. Remember never to store potatoes in the refrigerator. Keep in a cool and dark area. The meat is bright orange and makes sense for grain bowls. You’ll easily find jewels in your local supermarket.
Sweet potato pie oatmeal
Try jewels in sweet potato pie — or in sweet potato pie oatmeal.
Garnet
Similar texture and moisture content to the jewel. The skin is redder and the taste is deeper. If stored properly, potatoes will last several weeks. I like to combine garnets with other potatoes or freeze purée for cold-weather soups.
Sweet potato casserole with curried cashews
Try garnets in soup or in this sweet potato casserole with curried cashews.
Yellow yam
I was able to touch and feel so many varieties of real yams in the Caribbean market near my apartment. These yams give the root vegetable section of a grocer life. They’re huge in size and scream, “boil me or pound me!” The hardest part before the provision hits your tongue is peeling or scraping the skin.
Dill yam fries
Try this one-pot yam porridge recipe by Immaculate Bites or these dill yam fries by Lemon&Acorns.
Vardaman
Vardaman is a town in Mississippi and holds the title “Sweet Potato Capital of the World.” I had never heard of this variety until picking up a few at the Athens Farmers Market. I boiled the vegetable, mashed by hand and used it for my sweet potato pound cake.
Sweet potato pound cake
Enjoy my sweet potato pound cake with spicy and sweet glaze.
Georgia jet
Long and skinny in appearance. Despite the name, this sweet potato grows well in Northern states. I enjoyed the Georgia jet alongside a simple meal of steamed broccoli and spicy baked fish. My method is baking for 90 minutes in a 365 degree F oven.
Kale stir fry
Try spiral-cutting Georgia sweet potatoes for this kale stir fry.
Batata
This white-fleshed starchy tuber received many likes on my Instagram feed. A friend with Dominican roots replied, “my favorite.” Don’t expect sugary notes. You might see this potato labeled tropical or Caribbean.
Mofongo
Try making mofongo with batata sweet potatoes instead of plantains.
Korean sweet potato
I love the look here. The clay red-skins look scratched. Remember, one medium- to large-size potatoe equals around 1 cup. Looking for super-simple meal ideas? Take a peek at Dr. George Washington Carver’s 1936 bulletin titled, “How the Farmer Can Save His Sweet Potatoes and Ways of Preparing Them for the Table.”
Korean candied sweet potatoes
Learn how to make candied sweet potatoes Korean-style.
Hannah
Cream, butter, cheese, breadcrumbs, onions, rutabagas and Hannahs — gratin ingredients. I love the pale yellow interior color, and they perfectly pair with sturdy, cooler-weather vegetables.
Harissa sweet potato hash
Try Hannah in this harissa sweet potato hash.
Stokes purple
All purple everything — inside and outside. Was Prince a fan? Maybe. The North Carolina-born beauty tops the chart. Perfect for easy Sunday breakfast hash with a crispy fried egg on top.
Purple sweet potato pie smoothie
Check out Instagrammer Lauren Elizabeth’s purple sweet potato pie smoothie via her ‘gram.
Burgundy
Bright inside and small in size, the name is a reflection of the color. This potato is an infant on the scene and seems a bit hard to find. Like many nonheirloom provisions, this is a new variety created by agriculturists.
Sweet potato skins
The little burgundy is perfect for these spinach-artichoke sweet potato skins.
Sweet Potato Guide
Pin this handy guide!
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