At the KCSA we are introducing two new types of sweet potatoes…
Covington, which has copper and rose colored skin with sweet, smooth, bright-orange flesh.
Murasaki, which has a purple to burgundy color with a slightly sweet taste and robust nutty flavor.
Though most people know what sweet potatoes are, there are a lot of misconceptions about this vegetable. Did you know that sweet potatoes are actually not related to potatoes at all? The potato is a stem tuber in the nightshade family, while Sweet potatoes are the edible enlarged roots of a flowering vine in the morning glory family.
Also yams and sweet potatoes are not the same thing. Yams have a bumpy, tough brown skin (that looks almost tree trunk-like) with starchy, not sweet flesh and are native to Africa.
Sweet potatoes can be baked, roasted, steamed, boiled, simmered, or fried.
Best stored in a cool, dry and dark place.
RECIPES
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
2 pounds orange fleshed sweet potatoes (yams), about 3 large ones
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 to 2 tablespoons spice or spice combination of your choice: chipotle powder, smoked paprika, Chinese five-spice, pumpkin pie spice, garam masala, Cajun seasoning, etc.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a roasting pan or heavy duty baking sheet in the oven to preheat.
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut off the ends. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and then, if they are very long, in half crosswise. Cut each piece into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick wedges. Put the sweet potatoes into a large bowl and add the oil. Mix well to combine. Sprinkle with salt and spices of your choice. Use your hands to mix well, so all pieces are coated with oil and spices.
Remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven. Carefully spread the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on the baking sheet. (Watch out, the pan is hot!) Bake for 15 to 25 minutes. After the first 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and use tongs to turn over all of the sweet potato pieces. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 to 15 minutes, or until they are well browned. (https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/oven_baked_sweet_potato_fries/)
Sweet Potato Biscuits with Honey-Safe Compound Butter
Sweet Potato, Kale, and Chicken Soup
