How to Prepare White Sweet Potatoes: Best Cooking Methods and Recipes

Mastering the Perfectly Cooked White Sweet Potato

White sweet potatoes are a tasty, versatile, and nutritious root vegetable. Their creamy texture and mild sweet flavor make them ideal for both savory and sweet dishes. Learning proper techniques for preparing white sweet potatoes can help bring out their best qualities.

Selecting White Sweet Potatoes

Look for smooth, firm white sweet potatoes without bruises, wrinkles, or soft spots. Size can range from small to large. Choose similar sized sweet potatoes for even cooking. The skin color can vary from pale tan to light brown. Avoid any with green patches or growths.

Storing White Sweet Potatoes

Store unwashed sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place. Do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes as cold temperatures negatively affect taste and texture. They will keep for 2-3 weeks. Once cooked, sweet potatoes can be refrigerated for 4-5 days.

Prepping White Sweet Potatoes

Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes under cool running water. Use a vegetable brush to gently scrub off any dirt. Dry them with a clean towel.

Trim off both ends and any damaged parts using a sharp knife. Leave the skin on or peel according to your recipe. Peeling can be done with a vegetable peeler or by cutting off wide strips of skin with a knife.

Cut the sweet potato into the size and shape specified in your recipe. Common prep methods include dicing, slicing, or cutting into wedges, cubes, or fries.

Soak cut sweet potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry before cooking.

Boiling White Sweet Potatoes

Boiling helps retain sweet potato nutrients while producing a soft, smooth texture. To boil:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Use 1 tsp salt per quart of water.
2. Add prepped sweet potatoes and cook until just tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain in a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
4. Serve boiled sweet potatoes warm with sides like butter, brown sugar, or protein.

Boiled sweet potatoes also work well mashed, pureed for soups, or added to casseroles.

Steaming White Sweet Potatoes

Steaming is a low calorie cooking method that produces tender sweet potatoes. To steam:

1. In a steamer pot or basket, bring 1-2 inches of water to a boil.
2. Add sweet potato pieces in a single layer, not overcrowded.
3. Cover and steam for 15-20 minutes until fork tender.
4. Check water levels and add more boiling water as needed.
5. Transfer steamed sweet potatoes to a serving dish.

Season steamed sweet potatoes with herbs, spices, lemon juice, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Roasting White Sweet Potatoes

Roasting concentrates the natural sugars in sweet potatoes, creating a caramelized flavor. To roast:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
2. Slice sweet potatoes about 1/2 inch thick or cut into 1 inch wedges.
3. Toss with 1-2 Tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on the baking sheet.
4. Roast 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and tender.
5. Optional - For crispy edges, broil the last 2-3 minutes.

Roasted sweet potatoes pair well with seasonings like rosemary, cumin, chili powder, or cinnamon.

Frying White Sweet Potatoes

Pan frying sweet potatoes in olive oil gives them a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. To fry:

1. Cut peeled sweet potatoes into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices or wedges.
2. Heat 1/4 inch olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Working in batches, add sweet potatoes in a single layer and fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
4. Transfer fried sweet potatoes to a paper towel lined plate.
5. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot.

For sweet potato fries, cut into 1/4 inch sticks instead of wedges before frying. Double fry for maximum crispness.

Mashing White Sweet Potatoes

Mashing brings out the natural creaminess of sweet potatoes. Always mash cooked and drained sweet potatoes:

1. Add boiled or steamed sweet potatoes to bowl and roughly mash with a fork or potato masher.
2. For a smooth texture, use a food processor or ricer.
3. Stir in 2-4 Tbsp butter, cream, or milk until desired consistency.
4. Season with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger.

Top mashed sweet potatoes with pecans, brown sugar, or marshmallows for extra flavor.

Pureeing White Sweet Potatoes

Pureed sweet potatoes create an ultra smooth, pudding-like texture. To puree:

1. Steam or boil sweet potatoes until very soft.
2. Drain and transfer to a food processor or blender.
3. Puree with cooking liquid as needed until completely smooth.
4. Stir in milk, cream, or butter for added richness.
5. Season to taste with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, or sweetener.

Pureed sweet potatoes work great in desserts, smoothies, baby food, or as a base for soups.

Baking White Sweet Potatoes Whole

Baking whole sweet potatoes intact maximizes their flavor. To bake:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Scrub sweet potatoes well and prick several times with a fork.
3. Place directly on oven rack or on a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Bake 45-60 minutes until very soft when squeezed.
5. Slice open and top with butter, brown sugar, pecans, or cinnamon.

Save time by wrapping the sweet potatoes in foil after 30 minutes to finish baking.

Grilling White Sweet Potatoes

Grilling brings out the natural sweetness in sweet potatoes. To grill:

1. Cut peeled sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch planks or 1 inch wedges.
2. Brush both sides with olive oil and season as desired.
3. Grill over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side.
4. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Grilled sweet potatoes pair well with smoky seasonings like paprika, chili powder, cumin, or garlic.

Microwaving White Sweet Potatoes

Microwaving provides a fast method for cooking sweet potatoes with little prep needed. To microwave:

1. Wash and prick whole sweet potatoes several times with a fork.
2. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing open and topping as desired.
4. For wedges or slices, cook in a microwave-safe dish with 2 Tbsp water for 4-5 minutes.

Rotate and stir sweet potato pieces halfway through microwaving for more even cooking.

Tips for Preparing Perfect White Sweet Potatoes

Follow these tips to achieve tender, flavorful white sweet potatoes every time you cook them:

• Bring out sweetness by roasting, baking, or sautéing.
• Precook larger pieces before dicing or mashing.
• Add a touch of cream or coconut milk for extra richness.
• Season with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom.
• Cut uniform sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Cook gently and avoid overmixing when mashing.
• Complement with savory flavors like garlic, rosemary, or pecans.
• Let roasted or fried sweet potatoes rest before serving.

Mastering simple cooking techniques for white sweet potatoes makes it easy to enjoy theirdelicious taste and stellar nutritional benefits on a regular basis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.