Yams Kitchen Basics

Is it better to bake or boil yams?
Are sweet potatoes and yams the same thing?
Do you need to peel yams before cooking?
What can you do with yam?
Do sweet potatoes take longer to bake?
What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes?
Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?
Which is better yams or sweet potatoes?
Can diabetics eat yams?
Can you eat the skin of yams?
How do you peel yams easily?
How do you peel yams without a peeler?

Is it better to bake or boil yams?

While boiling makes sweet potatoes tender, it doesn't help much with their flavor. Most dishes that call for boiled sweet potatoes would be improved if you used roasted or baked sweet potatoes. ... Even if you are making mashed sweet potatoes, they will taste better with oven-cooked potatoes.

Are sweet potatoes and yams the same thing?

That sweet, orange-colored root vegetable that you love so dearly is actually a sweetpotato. Yes, all so-called “yams” are in fact sweetpotatoes. Most people think that long, red-skinned sweetpotatoes are yams, but they really are just one of many varieties of sweetpotatoes.

Do you need to peel yams before cooking?

Scrub yams thoroughly with a brush, then pat dry. Peel yams if you like, or leave the skins on. ... Because yams contain more sugar than regular potatoes, they tend to burn easily and cook unevenly if cut too thin.

What can you do with yam?

What to do with yams

Yams are a yummy addition to a roast; use them instead of potatoes or kumara.
Try yam mash; it's nice with grilled meat like lamb cutlets.
A yam cooked for 40-50 seconds in the microwave makes a good snack for toddlers.
Sliced yams are great in stir-fries, especially if still slightly crisp.

Do sweet potatoes take longer to bake?

A large sweet potato can take a good hour, or longer, to bake in the oven.

What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes?

Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes.

Why do they call sweet potatoes yams?

When soft varieties were first grown commercially, there was a need to differentiate between the two. African slaves had already been calling the 'soft' sweet potatoes 'yams' because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, 'soft' sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from the 'firm' varieties.

Which is better yams or sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes tend to have slightly fewer calories per serving than yams. They also contain a bit more vitamin C and more than triple the amount of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. ... On the other hand, raw yams are slightly richer in potassium and manganese.

Can diabetics eat yams?

Yams are diabetes-friendly as it aids to reduce the cells insulin resistance and thus, reduces the risk of contracting diabetes.

Can you eat the skin of yams?

Sweet potato skins are safe to eat and can be easily added to most recipes. They're rich in fiber, other nutrients, and antioxidants that can help support a healthy gut, increase feelings of fullness, and prevent chronic disease. If you're looking to get the most nutrition out of your sweet potato, keep the peel on.

How do you peel yams easily?

You can actually peel them by hand once they are properly warmed. Just make a small incision with a knife or pull the peel off completely by hand. Once you start peeling, the entire peel will come off easily.

How do you peel yams without a peeler?

Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake them in a pre heated oven, at 425 degrees until they're very tender (this should take about 45 minutes). Remove from the oven and allow to cool enough to handle. Peel the skin off the potatoes.