When it comes to nutrition-packed vegetables sweet potatoes land high on the list. These are great for your family, packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy carbs that help keep your family healthy and full.
Ways to cook sweet potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so they are delicious when baked in the oven. Scrub the sweet potatoes clean and prick them all over with a fork. Wrap them in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork. Remove the foil and serve with butter, salt, and pepper. You can also top them with toppings like sour cream, chives, or crumbled bacon.
Sweet potato fries: Sweet potato fries are a healthy and delicious alternative to regular French fries. Cut the sweet potatoes into thin strips and toss them with oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like, such as paprika or garlic powder. Spread them out on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the fries are crispy and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Mashed sweet potatoes: Mashed sweet potatoes are a comforting and flavourful side dish that goes well with a wide variety of main dishes. To make mashed sweet potatoes, peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into small cubes. Boil them in a pot of salted water until they are tender. This generally takes longer than other types of potatoes because sweet potatoes are much denser. Drain the sweet potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, and your favourite seasonings. You can add toppings like cheese or bacon, or keep them simple with just butter and salt.
Sweet potato casserole: Sweet potato casserole is a classic dish that is often served during the holidays. Mix mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar, butter, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Top with a pecan streusel topping made from butter, brown sugar, flour, and chopped pecans. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Sweet potato soup: Sweet potato soup is a comforting and hearty soup that is perfect for a chilly day. To make sweet potato soup, saute diced onions and garlic in a pot until soft, then add chopped sweet potatoes and chicken or vegetable broth. Simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender. Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Finish with cream or coconut milk and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Sweet potato pancakes: Sweet potato pancakes are a tasty and nutritious breakfast option. To make sweet potato pancakes, grate sweet potatoes and mix them with flour, eggs, and milk to make a batter. Cook like regular pancakes on a nonstick griddle, flipping once until they are golden brown on both sides. Serve with maple syrup or honey.
If you are looking for a great frugal way to feed your family stock up on sweet potatoes around thanksgiving when they are on sale for next to nothing. These can then be saved for months before they start to go bad or you can try your hand at growing your own.
