Sweet potatoes bring more than just their vibrant hue to your plate. Rich in vitamins A and C and high in fiber and potassiumaccording to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Sweet potatoes are nutritional superstars. Like other orange products, they are high in beta-carotene, a plant pigment used to make Vitamin Aaccording to the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
Sweet potatoes have a nutritional profile similar to their pale cousins with slightly fewer calories and carbohydrates, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s important to note that about half of the fiber is found in the potato skin (either sweet or white), and as a result, leaving the skin on will make it significantly healthier.
You can use a sweet potato in virtually any recipe that calls for regular potatoes, including casseroles, stir fries, and French fries. Because they are a root vegetable, they tend to take a long time to cook, but the result is worth it. Here are two delicious and healthy ways to cook sweet potatoes: roasted and made into sweet potato fries.
How to cook sweet potatoes
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Wash the outside of the sweet potatoes well and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Toss with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake, stirring with a spatula every 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes total.
