Ahhh, the versatile tuber we all love is the true calling card of the holiday season. In pies, mousse, casseroles, fried, in soup -- the list goes on and on.

Simple ingredients you add when preparing your sweet potato can change the flavor dramatically.

But first, what's the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?

Sweet Potato vs. Yams factoids:

Scientific Name
Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Yam (Dioscorea Species)

Plant group
Sweet Potato (Dicotyledon)
Yam (Monocotyledon)

Origin
Sweet Potato (Tropical America Peru, Ecuador)
Yam (West Africa, Asia)

Appearance
Sweet Potato (Smooth, with thin skin)
Yam (Rough, scaly)

Shape
Sweet Potato (Short, blocky, tapered ends)
Yam (Long, cylindrical)

Availability
Sweet Potato (Grown in USA)
Yam (Imported from Caribbean)

Can you identify the sweet potato below? (See answer at end of column)

The major differences between the two are their origin and cooking methods. They can be used for the same dishes and will have the same results, no matter which one you use.

Here is a base preparation method that will allow you to have your sweet potato ready for any application you want.

Ingredients
Jumbo Sweet Potatoes
Nutmeg
Allspice
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar
Ground Cloves
Salt
Sugar
Heavy Cream
Unsalted Butter
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Mini Marshmallows
Pre made Filo sheets

Equipment
Y-Peeler
Large Pot
Large Bowl
Wire Whisk
Pie Pan 9"
Casserole Dish
Mesh Strainer
Food Processor
Cupcake Tray
Preheat oven to 350°

Preparation
Peel and quarter potatoes
Add salt, cloves, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice to pot with water
Add potatoes to pot bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer until fork tender.
Remove potatoes from pot and reserve all liquid
Put liquid back on stove and reduce by half set aside
Reserve the cooking liquid

Now you have the base for several dishes.

Candied Yams
Combine nutmeg, allspice, Cinnamon, brown sugar, ground cloves and salt together in a bowl. Take the quartered potatoes and put in a serving dish. Drizzle some of the reduced liquid on the potatoes. Sprinkle with spice mixture then top with butter.

Sweet Potato Mash
Combine Nutmeg, Allspice, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Ground Cloves and Salt together in a bowl. Put sweet potatoes in large bowl. Drizzle some of the reduced liquid on the potatoes. Add heavy cream, butter and spices. Mash all ingredients together until desired consistency is reached. Serve with your favorite meat or enjoy alone.

Sweet Potato Casserole
Follow Sweet Potato Mash directions. Transfer to a casserole dish
Top with marshmallows and put in a 350° oven until marshmallows are golden brown.
Serve and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Desserts

Sweet Potato Cups
For sweet potato filling
In a food processor, add quartered sweet potato (no skin). Combine nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, brown sugar, ground cloves and salt together in a bowl and add to food processor. Add butter and whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Fold in Sweet Potato mixture.
For Cups
Melt butter. Put Filo into cupcake cups and fold over. Put cupcake pan into oven. Brush with melted butter and
Bake until Filo is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.
For Service
Fill Filo cups with sweet potato filling
Serve with home made whip cream and a scoop of ice cream

Sweet Potato Pie
For sweet potato filling
In a food processor add quartered sweet potato (no skin). Combine nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, brown sugar, ground cloves and salt together in a bowl and add to food processor. Then add butter, heavy cream and process until smooth.
For Crust
4-5 Graham cracker sheets
Use Room temperature butter
Large Freezer Bag
Small pot
Preparation
Put crackers in freezer bag then crush crackers in bag (break up into small pieces). Melt butter in pot and add crushed crackers to pot and toss with butter. Remove and line pie pan evenly and spread sweet potato filling in crust.
Bake until top browns.

These are just a few ideas that can be used for the sweet potato.

Enjoy.

(Answer: The sweet potato is on the left)

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