Sweet Potatoes vs Yams: Debunking the Myth

[jrstephens]

I freaked out when they took all the spinach off the shelves a few months ago. I

I freaked out too b/c we make spinach artichoke dip almost every weekend! I never knew until then that spinach could casue such problems in my life, HA!!!

 

[lizcooks4u]

I never liked sweet potatoes but then years ago my mom made them - heated up out of the can - with brown sugar and loads of marshmellows - and now I really like them. And sweet potato pie is awesome as well. Sometimes it's good to try foods again!

Gina Miller

Same here, not crazy for both, but have had both fixed differently and love it now, they're usually healthier too.

I love Sweet Potatoe pie, when it's fixed right though. I had a co-worker in Cleveland, OH and tried it and fell in love with it, but never have had it so good since then

 

[PoseyMom]

sweet potato pie is heaven.... so much better than pumpkin. i wish *I* knew how to make it right.... its soooooooooooooooo good.

 

[PCJen]

Is there a difference between sweet potatoes and yams? My mom and the woman at the grocery store say no, but my mother in law says yes.

If there is a difference, what is it?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

This is what I found out while doing research on the difference between sweet potatoes and yams for my newsletter tip section.

Sweet Potato or a Yam?

Sweet Potatoes

There are two varieties of sweet potatoes: the popular orange flesh variety and the pale yellow flesh. The yellow flesh sweet potato is actually not sweet but has a taste and texture similar to white baking potatoes. Sweet potatoes have a smooth thin skin and have short, blocky tapered ends. They are very high in vitamins A and C. Grown in the USA.

Yams

Yams are similar in size of the sweet potato but the flesh is rough and scaly and have a long cylindrical ends with some "toes". Yams contain more natural sugar but have less vitamins A and C than sweet potatoes. Taste is more starchy. Yams are imported in from South and Central America.

Tips:

When buying sweet potatoes make sure it has sound, firm roots. Store in a dry unrefrigerated place at 55-60 degrees is best. Never put in the refrigerator because temps below 55 degrees will make the core hard and give an undesirable taste when cooked.

Before cooking scrub and cut off any bruised or woody portions.

Sweet potatoes can be baked, boiled, fried, caned, frozen and microwaved.