Is there a difference between sweet potatoes and yams? Why yes, yes there is. For the purposes of our site, we tag recipes with Sweet Potatoes and Yams and unless otherwise noted in the recipe posts, they can be used interchangeably in the recipes presented. Since there is a difference, let’s see if we can clear things up.
A true yam is a starchy edible root of the Dioscorea genus, and is generally imported to America from the Caribbean. It is rough and scaly and very low in beta carotene.
Depending on the variety, sweet potato flesh can vary from white to orange and even purple. The orange-fleshed variety was introduced to the United States several decades ago. In order to distinguish it from the white variety everyone was accustomed to, producers and shippers chose the English form of the African word “nyami” and labeled them “yams.”
Even though the USDA requires that orange-colored sweet potatoes always be labeled “sweet potato,” most people still think of sweet potatoes as yams regardless of their true identity.
Here is what we have put together for you from CSA365:
Sweet Potato-
These tubers have a rough brown skin with a sweet orange flesh. Look for sweet potatoes that are firm.
Scrub the sweet potatoes skin well or peel before using them. Sweet potatoes can be boiled, bake or even microwave them until tender. Recent studies have shown that keeping baking temperatures low when cooking sweet potatoes helps to maximize the sweetness. Keep temperatures between 325 degrees and 340 degrees.
Store your sweet potatoes at room temperature, or better yet, a cool dark cabinet or pantry is ideal. Sweet potatoes can store 3-6 months. A tip to help your sweet potatoes last longer is to individually wrap them in newspaper before storing.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A. They also contain vitamin B6, C, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, alpha and beta carotene, antioxidants, and fiber
If you’re looking for a way to get uninterested folks to eat sweet potato, look no further! This pie was gone in one sitting, with the young potato-haters coming back for seconds. I followed this basic recipe with a few tweaks, microwaving instead of boiling the sweet potatoes, and cutting the sugar back by about 1/4 cup. The mixture was a tiny bit chunkier than smooth, but i have no regrets, as the flavor of the sweet potato really popped!
Got goat cheese and sweet potato? Great! The rest of the ingredients are negotiable, depending on your palette. Read on and make it work for you!
This cheese cake takes some time to complete, but it is really beautiful and a perfect fancy dessert for company! Be sure you have a springform pan!
