The white American sweet potato is a starchy, fleshy root with a sugary taste reminiscent of chestnuts. Because of its distinctly sweet flavor, it is not very popular in Italy.
There are dozens of varieties of sweet potatoes or batatas, especially known in the United States. Currently, in Italy, sweet potatoes are grown in Lazio, Puglia (Frigole, Squinzano, Surbo, Trepuzzi…), Sicily, and Veneto (De.Co. of Anguillara and Stroppare, of Valliera, of Zero Branco,…).
The American sweet potato is often sprouted for ornamental purposes. “here” you can find out how to do it. The variety commonly found here has leaves very similar to those of ivy that appear on hanging branches and are quite decorative.
HERE how to cook the red sweet potato (batata)
SEASONALITY of #whiteamericansweetpotatoes – from August to December.
RECIPES with batatas
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economic
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 1
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Autumn
- Energy 236.00 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 55.76 (g) of which sugars 1.00 (g)
- Proteins 3.06 (g)
- Fat 0.34 (g) of which saturated 0.07 (g)of which unsaturated 0.16 (g)
- Fibers 8.20 (g)
- Sodium 18.00 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 160 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
White American sweet potato – COOKING
- 1 sweet potato (white – about 7 oz)
Tools
- Parchment paper biodegradable
Preparation
If desired, the skin can also be eaten, which is rich in properties, read here.
Wash the sweet potato well with the skin on, without drying it. Wrap it in a sheet of aluminum foil or better yet parchment paper, closing it like a candy but not too tightly. Bake in a static oven at 355°F for about 45-60 minutes, the time depends on its size. Check the doneness by inserting a toothpick.
It can also be placed directly on a low ceramic or metal baking dish without wrapping.
GRILLED COOKING
(under the ashes, in the barbecue)
Wash the sweet potato well with the skin on, dry it. Make a cross cut. Wrap it in a sheet of aluminum foil (optional). Place it under the coals and let it cook for about 2 hours, the time depends on its size.
To speed up this type of cooking: first boil the potato until slightly tender and then continue cooking in the coals.
STEAM COOKING
(my favorite)
Steaming develops and retains the flavor better than boiling.
Wash the American sweet potato well with the skin on, place it in the steamer basket. Cook in a pressure cooker for about 15-20 minutes from the whistle of the pressure.
Once steamed, to enhance its flavor bouquet, bake in a traditional oven for another 10 minutes at 355°F.
BOILING IN WATER
Wash the batatas well. Boil them with the skin in unsalted cold water for about 40-50 minutes. Check the doneness by piercing them with a fork.
MICROWAVE COOKING
Wash the sweet potato well with the skin on, without drying it. Pierce its entire surface with the tines of a fork or a toothpick, to prevent it from exploding during cooking. Wrap it in parchment paper or place it on a ceramic plate over a thin layer of water and cover it with the microwave plastic lid. Perform cooking steps of 3 minutes each and after the first stop, turn the potato over. Cook at 600W – 750W (cooking time depends on the size of the potato, a 5.3 oz one cooks in 6 minutes). Check the degree of doneness by piercing it with a fork. Once cooked, leave it for a few minutes in the microwave to allow the heat to reach its innermost part.
Once cooked, cut it in half or into slices, serve:
– with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (or melted vegetable butter), salt, and spices to taste
– with peanut butter, spreadable hazelnut cream, or jam
.
LIKE OVEN CHIPS
Wash, peel (they darken easily), and cut into sticks. Place on a baking tray covered with parchment paper, oil, and season with desired spices: garlic, onion, cinnamon, paprika, chili, rosemary, thyme, nutmeg. Mix well and try to make a single layer of potatoes. Bake in a static oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally and salt at the end of cooking.
American sweet potato VEGETARIAN RECIPES savory and sweet
Savory preparation
Once cooked, cut it into slices and arrange them in layers in a baking dish, place a little butter, grated Parmesan, and some slices of Emmental or Scamorza on top of each layer. Bake in a hot oven at 355°F until the cheese is well melted.
Excellent the “American sweet potato cream“
Sweet preparation
Once cooked, peel it and while still hot place it on a plate, sprinkling it with cinnamon.
TRY also:
“American sweet potato pancakes”
“Sweet potato and chocolate cake”
STORING the American sweet potato
Once purchased, cook the potatoes immediately or store them in a cool, dark place for a maximum of one month (the optimal room temperature should be between 41°F and 59°F, if it’s higher the tubers sprout, if it’s lower they can rot). Do not store in the refrigerator.
Cooked potatoes should be consumed within two days.
PURCHASING TIPS for the American sweet potato
Choose not very large tubers, otherwise the central part may be a bit woody.
