Fall Ingredient Essentials: Sweet Potatoes

These bright potatoes, ranging from a stark white to ruby red and deep purple, are a fall staple we can’t resist. Sweet potatoes are definitely sweet, and being full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals only makes them better. Clocking in at just 115 calories per cup, sweet potatoes have over 300 percent of your daily Vitamin C value. Also rich in Vitamin B and magnesium and packing in 4 grams of filling fiber per single cup serving it’s no wonder we love them!

How do I pick the best sweet potatoes?

Though you may find sweet potatoes in an array of colors, these colors are only seen after peeling. Regardless of the type, the best sweet potatoes will be small to medium sized with smooth, unblemished skin. The potato should be firm with a bit of heft to it. Remember, sweet potatoes aren’t as tough as they look. Skip any spud that has a bruise or cut regardless of whether or not it’s exposing the flesh. Either one can lead to the potato spoiling which will put a damper in your pie making.

What can I make with sweet potatoes?

Sweet potato during the fall pair perfectly with one word: pie. Sweet potatoes work well in savory and sweet dishes, and can be roasted, boiled, braised, broiled, baked, and steamed. From cakes, muffins, cookies, and scones to salads, purees, soups, and stews, the sweet potato swings both ways.

Prepping sweet potatoes depends on what you’re making. If you’re roasting with the skin on, a simple scrub under running water will suffice. For a mash or pie, the best way to cook them is boiling. Boil with the skin on, as this helps retain vital nutrients and lock in the potatoes sweetness, until fork tender. Want to add some extra oomph? Boil with a cinnamon stick and vanilla or sweet dishes or garlic and herbs for savory ones!

Storage? Sweet potatoes are fragile so it’s best to use them as soon as possible. If you won’t be using them in a few days store them in a cool, dark place. Keep them away from the stove top, oven, or other warm places in your home as this can accelerate spoiling and damage. Do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes as this dries them out. Sweet potatoes can be frozen once boiled, cooled, cubed and stored in a freezer-safe zip lock bag. Frozen sweet potatoes will stay fresh for up to a year, perfect for when the mood strikes for a sweet potato pie!

Recipes to try include: Sweet Potato Spice Pancakes, Smoky Sweet Potato Chips, and Chili Sweet Potato Burritos.