Autumn brings not only colorful leaves, but also a lot of flavors that are worth trying. These include sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes that can brighten up a plate and warm you up after a cold day. They are versatile, healthy and their natural sweetness goes well with both savory dishes and desserts.
At first glance, they look like ordinary potatoes, but whoever has tasted them once knows that sweet potatoes have a completely different taste. Sweet potatoes, as they are also called, have taken up residence in recent years and no wonder. They stand out for their delicate taste with a hint of nuts, they can be prepared both salty and sweet, and they are also full of vitamins and fiber. Autumn is their time, so you can’t go wrong whether you bake them in the oven, mix them into a soup, or make a dessert out of them.
Watch a video from eChalupářka on how to grow sweet potatoes on YouTube:
“Sweet potatoes have excellent nutritional values, but also a whole range of health benefits,” says nutritionist Martina Pejchalová.
From chips to cream soup
If you’re looking for a light but hearty side dish, try sweet potatoes cut into wedges, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt. You only need to bake it for a short time and you will get a crispy goodness that will outshine even classic fries. It is also excellent as a base for autumn soup. Mixed with carrots, pumpkin and a little ginger, it creates a velvety smooth cream that warms you on a chilly evening. And if you like to experiment, try sweet potato puree instead of potato.
Recipe for baked sweet potatoes with salt
Raw materials:
Procedure:
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Preheat the oven to 200°C.
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Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into wedges or chips.
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Toss them in a bowl with the oil, salt and chopped rosemary/thyme.
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Spread them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden, stirring occasionally.
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Serve warm as a side dish or light snack.
When vegetables taste like dessert
Sweet potatoes can also surprise in desserts. Their natural sweetness is ideal for cakes, gingerbread or muffins, where they partially replace flour and at the same time add elasticity. In America, sweet potato pie is a traditional autumn dessert. However, it works great here, for example, in fluffy brownies, where it reduces the amount of sugar and adds a subtle caramel note. And those who like simplicity can bake them just like that, in halves with a drizzle of honey and cinnamon.
Recipe for baked sweet potatoes
Raw materials:
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 spoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- a pinch of nutmeg or cocoa
Procedure:
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Preheat the oven to 180°C.
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Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into halves or larger cubes.
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Drizzle them with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon and possibly nutmeg/cocoa.
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Place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 25-30 minutes until soft and slightly caramelised.
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Serve warm as a healthy dessert or snack.
The great advantage of sweet potatoes is that they can be prepared in a hundred different ways. From savory side dishes, through soups and spreads to sweet desserts. In addition, they can be stored for a long time, so you can always have them on hand. Once you learn to give them space on your plate, you will find that they will easily become a regular part of your menu.
