Vegetables · Root vegetables

Sweet potato

Sweet, orange- or pale-fleshed root that roasts, mashes and bakes well; not a true yam despite the US nickname.

Also called: sweet potatoes, yam (US), kumara, camote, shakarkandi

Photo: Llez, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)

What it is

Sweet potatoes are the tuberous roots of a morning-glory relative, with tapered ends and skin that is copper, red, purple or cream. The flesh may be orange, white or purple. In the US orange types are often sold as 'yams', but true yams are a different, drier and starchier tuber. They are not related to ordinary potatoes.

Ipomoea batatas

How it’s used

Roasted in wedges or cubes
Mashed or puréed as a side or pie filling
Added to curries, stews and soups
Baked whole and topped
Fried as chips or fritters

Characteristics

Taste: Sweet, nutty and earthy; orange types are sweeter, white types drier and milder.
Texture: Dense and moist when cooked; very soft and creamy when mashed.
When cooked: Caramelises at the edges when roasted; cooks faster than potato and collapses if overboiled.
Sold as: fresh, frozen, canned
Cooking uses: Commonly cooked, Suitable for baking, Suitable for boiling, Suitable for frying, Suitable for grilling
Common in: American, Southern US, Caribbean, West African, Japanese, Korean, Peruvian, New Zealand

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Store in a cool, dark, airy place, not the fridge, which can harden the core. Use while firm; soft, wrinkled or mouldy spots mean it is past its best.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy: 86 kcal
Protein: 1.57 g
Carbohydrate: 20.12 g
Fat: 0.05 g
Fibre: 3 g
Sugars: 4.18 g

USDA FoodData Central: Sweet potato, raw, unprepared (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Butternut squash — Good in soups, roasts and purées; more watery, so roast rather than boil.
Pumpkin — Works in pies and curries; slightly less sweet and wetter.