The Culinary Connoisseur
Not a Potato
31
Mar
Mar
In 1992, a comparison was done on the nutritional valueof sweet potatoes to other vegetables. Considering fiber, complex
carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, the sweet potato
ranked highest in nutritional value. Sweet
potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene,
vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Studies have consistently shown that a high intake
of beta carotene-rich vegetables and fruits, like sweet potatoes, can
significantly reduce the risks of cancer. Sweet potatoes contain virtually no
fat or sodium. And, despite the name “sweet”, they may be a
beneficial food for diabetics, as studies have revealed that they help to
stabilize blood sugar levels.
The sweet potato is not actually a potato, only a distant
cousin. Potatoes are tubers; sweet potatoes are roots. The reason for the name
may be found in the original Spanish word for sweet potato;”batata.” From there
it was an easy change to potato and the common mistake that the two are
related.
cousin. Potatoes are tubers; sweet potatoes are roots. The reason for the name
may be found in the original Spanish word for sweet potato;”batata.” From there
it was an easy change to potato and the common mistake that the two are
related.
The sweet potato has yellow or orange flesh, and its thin
skin may either be white, yellow, orange, red or purple. Sometimes this root
vegetable will be shaped like a potato, being short with rounded ends, while
other times it will be longer with tapered ends.
skin may either be white, yellow, orange, red or purple. Sometimes this root
vegetable will be shaped like a potato, being short with rounded ends, while
other times it will be longer with tapered ends.
When selecting sweet potatoes, only choose those that are
smooth, plump, dry and clean. Always use a stainless steel knife when cutting a
sweet potato or the flesh will discolor.
smooth, plump, dry and clean. Always use a stainless steel knife when cutting a
sweet potato or the flesh will discolor.
It takes six to eight weeks after harvest for sweet
potatoes to reach their peak in sweetness. They can be stored at home for up to
two months in a dark cool place. Sweet
potatoes can be baked, grilled, steamed, sautéed and roasted. Their mildly
sweet flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Roasting sweet potatoes
rather than boiling them, will keep all the nutritional benefits and bring out
their inherent flavor. Bake up some sweet potatoes wedges with cinnamon and
brown sugar or add them to a gratin. Any way you use them will be sure to
please your family.
potatoes to reach their peak in sweetness. They can be stored at home for up to
two months in a dark cool place. Sweet
potatoes can be baked, grilled, steamed, sautéed and roasted. Their mildly
sweet flavor lends itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Roasting sweet potatoes
rather than boiling them, will keep all the nutritional benefits and bring out
their inherent flavor. Bake up some sweet potatoes wedges with cinnamon and
brown sugar or add them to a gratin. Any way you use them will be sure to
please your family.
All this fascinating information is food for thought as
you plan your Pesach menus. Serve them instead of white potatoes to ramp up the
health benefits of your yom tov meals.
you plan your Pesach menus. Serve them instead of white potatoes to ramp up the
health benefits of your yom tov meals.
Sweet potatoes and pears go well together in this easy
dish.
dish.
2 Bartlett pears
Juice of 1 lemon
6 medium sweet potatoes
4 tablespoon canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
1/2 cup light brown or regular granulated sugar
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Peel, core,
and roughly chop the pears; place in the water. Add the lemon juice. Reduce
heat to simmer and cook until the pears are easily pierced with a fork, about
15 minutes. Remove pears using a slotted spoon, and set aside.
and roughly chop the pears; place in the water. Add the lemon juice. Reduce
heat to simmer and cook until the pears are easily pierced with a fork, about
15 minutes. Remove pears using a slotted spoon, and set aside.
Wash potatoes and dry.
Rub with a bit of canola oil and prick skins with a fork. Bake potatoes
on a roasting pan at 400 degrees F for 1 hour, or until done. Smaller potatoes
only need about 45 minutes.
Rub with a bit of canola oil and prick skins with a fork. Bake potatoes
on a roasting pan at 400 degrees F for 1 hour, or until done. Smaller potatoes
only need about 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool slightly.
Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop the cooked
flesh into a large bowl, reserving the empty potato skins. Add the oil and
pears to the potatoes and mash until smooth. Add the egg, salt, pepper, cloves and
spoon or pipe into the reserved shells. Place filled potatoes on a lined baking pan.
flesh into a large bowl, reserving the empty potato skins. Add the oil and
pears to the potatoes and mash until smooth. Add the egg, salt, pepper, cloves and
spoon or pipe into the reserved shells. Place filled potatoes on a lined baking pan.
Sprinkle sugar over potato tops and bake until tops
brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cinnamon stick
4 pounds sweet potatoes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
In a medium saucepan, bring to a boil the oil, sugar,
water, salt and ginger. Add the cinnamon
stick and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cinnamon stick and discard.
water, salt and ginger. Add the cinnamon
stick and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cinnamon stick and discard.
Peel sweet potatoes and cut them in wedges
lengthwise. Toss potato wedges with
brown sugar mixture and spread on prepared pan.
Bake 40 minutes or until tender, stirring once after 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
lengthwise. Toss potato wedges with
brown sugar mixture and spread on prepared pan.
Bake 40 minutes or until tender, stirring once after 20 minutes. Serve immediately.