Sweet Potatoes and Fun Facts

Sweet potatoes are some of the oldest vegetables in the world. They have been growing in the United States since World War II. About 2.5 billion pounds are produced every year in America, and about 260 billion pounds are produced globally. Sweet potatoes grow best in the warm part of the country because the crop does not do well in cold weather.

Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, easy to grow and harvest. They can replace sugar people desire to satisfy their sweet tooth. They are full of antioxidants and have more nutrients than spinach or broccoli. The vegetable is high in beta carotene, vitamins B6, C and E, iron, fiber, and potassium.

Sweet potatoes are excellent for people who are trying to lose weight because they have almost no fat. Besides, they are low in carbohydrates and fiber that keep people full for a long time. The vegetable is so versatile that it can be made into many dishes that people love to eat.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Candied sweet potatoes are a traditional Southern side dish made with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, molasses, orange juice, maple syrup, marshmallows or other sweet ingredients of your choice.

The candied sweet potato dish is on almost every table in the South for holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinner as well as at other times.

Sweet Potato Fries and Chips

Sweet potato fries or chips are special treats for kids and adults. They are easy to make by julienning and deep-frying them just as you would make French fried white potatoes. They are cooked in hot vegetable or corn oil for delicious sweet potato fries or sweet potato chips.

Baked Sweet Potato

According to the USDA, one medium baked sweet potato with skin contains 103 calories, 2.29 grams of protein, 0.27 grams of fat, 23.6 grams of carbohydrates, 3.8 grams of fiber and 7.39 grams of sugar. The versatile vegetable is high in vitamins A, B, and C. It contains potassium, beta carotene, and choline.

Baked sweet potatoes are healthier than baked white potatoes. One medium baked white potato with skin contains 115 calories, 2.49 grams of protein, 0.06 grams of fat, 26.71 grams of carbohydrates, 4.6 grams of fiber, and 0.81 grams of sugar. They are also rich in vitamins B and C, as well as potassium. Usually, the toppings on a baked white potato make the loaded potato contain more calories than a plain baked white potato.

Sweet Potato Toast

Sweet potato toast is easy to make and convenient for breakfast. See in the video above how to prepare the slices and then pop them into a toaster just as you do for slices of bread. Use some of the same toppings that you use on bread. Those toppings include jelly, jam, peanut butter, cream cheese, fruit, vegetables, and other ingredients you like.

Sweet Potato Pie

A sweet potato pie is a traditional favorite dessert in Southern cuisines in the United States. It is often served in place of pumpkin pies especially during the holidays. Almost every Southern cook has a favorite potato pie recipe.

Fun Facts About Sweet Potatoes

There are some interesting things about sweet potatoes that most people who love them might not know.

1. State Vegetable

The sweet potato is the state vegetable of North Carolina. Over 50 percent of sweet potatoes in America are grown in that Southern state.

2. Sweet Potato Month

National Sweet Potato Month is celebrated in February. Sweet Potato Awareness Month is observed in November.

3. Father of the Sweet Potato

John Buttencourt Avila is called the "father of the sweet potato industry" in North America.

4. Side Dish vs. Casserole Dish

Just mashed sweet potatoes alone make up a side dish while a sweet potato casserole is a side dish of mashed potatoes topped with brown sugar and pecans.

5. Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams

Sweet potatoes and yams are not the same. They come from two different botanical families. Yams are dry with starchy flesh and a dark outer skin. The flesh of sweet potatoes is moist and can be white, orange or even purple. Sweet potatoes are sweeter than yams.

6. Available Year-Round

Sweet potatoes are plentiful in grocery stores year-round. There are just as versatile in the spring. summer and winter.

7. Americans Eat Many Sweet Potatoes Per Year

Americans eat about 7.5 pounds of sweet potatoes per person each year.

8. Different Colors

Sweet potatoes could be orange, white, yellow, red or purple. However, the orange sweet potatoes are the sweetest and most popular ones. The taste, texture, flavor, and nutritional content are not the same in all varieties of sweet potatoes.

9. Excellent Food for Diabetics

Even though sweet is in their name, sweet potatoes can be eaten by diabetics because of their low glycemic index. That means eating a sweet potato does raise a diabetic's blood sugar level.

10. Various Ways to Eat the Vegetable

There are many ways to eat the root vegetable. It can be eaten steamed, roasted, baked, sautéed, broiled, fried, mashed, and even raw.