How Do I Cut Sweet Potatoes?

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
2. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler or paring knife.
3. Slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
4. Slice each round in half, then in half again to make a 1/2-1 inch dice.
5. Alternatively, you can slice rounds into sticks.

Is there a trick to cutting sweet potatoes?

Step 1: Wash and peel your sweet potato. Step 2: Slice off a small piece of the rounded edge so that the sweet potato sits on your cutting board without rocking back and forth. Step 3: Place the sweet potato cut side down and use your knife to cut lengthwise through it, creating rounds.

How do you soften sweet potatoes before cutting them?

If you want to soften them slightly to make them easier to cut, poke several holes in the skin with a fork then microwave for 1 to 2 minutes to soften. Be sure to use an oven mitt to remove the potato from the microwave; it will be really hot!

Why is it so hard to cut sweet potatoes?

Why are sweet potatoes so hard to cut. Sweet potatoes are a lot denser than say a russet or Yukon potato which makes them tougher to get through. Similar to carrots they have smaller more tightly packed molecules which make them hard to cut through. I recommend using a large sharp chef’s knife to cut through them.

How long should I boil sweet potatoes to soften them for cutting?

Boil sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a fork. It will take less time if you cut the sweet potatoes into smaller pieces. Drain and return to the pot.

Do you need to peel sweet potatoes?

For most sweet potato recipes, it’s unnecessary to remove the skin. Nevertheless, certain dishes, such as desserts, are best made without the skins. You can eat sweet potato skins by themselves or leave them on in most recipes, though desserts usually exclude the peel.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes in water?

Soaking sliced sweet potatoes before baking will release surface starches. Releasing surface starches helps to crisp the potatoes on the outside, resulting in a deliciously crispy potato.

Do I peel sweet potatoes before boiling?

You can either peel or leave the skin on: just make sure to cut off any black spots. Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with 1 inch of lukewarm water; add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, around 7 to 12 minutes. Then drain.

Should I boil sweet potatoes with skin on?

While you might find peeled boiled sweet potatoes recipes, it’s advisable to leave the skin on when boiling sweet potatoes. This is because most nutrients are found next to the skin and on the skin. Sweet potato skin is full of fiber that will help your digestion.

Is it better to boil or bake sweet potatoes?

Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato. Boiling may theoretically be best, but sweet potatoes are so incredibly healthy that the actual best way to prepare them is whichever way will get you to eat the most of them!

How do you cut 1/2 inch cubed sweet potatoes?

Instructions

1. Peel the sweet potato with a peeler.
2. Cut off the ends with a classic chef’s knife.
3. Slice the sides of the potato to square it.
4. Make ½ inch slices through your potato. You can either eye-ball it or use a ruler.
5. Turn the batonnets and cut into ½ inch slices, these are your medium diced sweet potatoes.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potato?

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.

Do you wash sweet potatoes?

You always—always—want to wash the skins before cooking or cutting sweet potatoes. It’s never a bad idea to give them a firm scrubbing with a clean vegetable brush, either. Sweet potatoes do grow in the ground, after all, and you don’t want any of that dirt or grit to end up in your finished dish.

How do you cut sweet potatoes without a peeler?

Place the potatoes into a pan of boiling water and cook as you would cook a sweet potato. Once they’re soft enough for a fork to slide into the flesh, drain them and transfer them to a bowl of ice cold water. Rub the surface of the potato, and the skins should fall off easily.

How long should I soak sweet potatoes?

Place sweet potatoes in water and let soak for 2-8 hours. Remove potatoes from brine and dry well with paper towels. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the middle goes in without resistance. Remove from oven and serve hot!

Do you wash sweet potatoes before baking?

Scrub and wash
One of my biggest tips when making sweet potatoes in the oven is to use a vegetable brush to clean them really well before baking. This helps get any unwanted dirt or yucky residue off the skin. And because the skin has such great health benefits, you want to make sure it’s clean so you can enjoy it!

Why don’t my sweet potatoes go crispy?

The secret to crispy (instead of soggy) sweet potato fries is to spread them out in an even layer with enough room so that they don’t touch. This is especially important if you’re making a big batch of fries. Instead of just piling more onto one baking pan, spread them out over two baking pans or cook them in batches.

How long does sweet potato take to boil?

Bring to boiling, cover, and cook until tender. How long to boil sweet potatoes: For one pound of sweet potatoes, cover the pan and cook sweet potatoes in the boiling salted water 20 to 25 minutes or until just tender. You should be able to easily pierce the sweet potato with a fork or knife.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same?

The skin of a yam (left) looks kind of like tree bark, while a sweet potato (right) is more reddish-brown. Real yams are entirely different root vegetables that are more like yucca in texture and flavor. They have bumpy, tough brown skin (that looks almost tree trunk-like) with starchy, not sweet flesh.

What tastes good with sweet potatoes?

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, collard greens, carrots, cauliflower, green beans and bell peppers are great choices. Salad – A fresh, leafy green salad tastes great after a bite of sweet potatoes. Beans – Baked beans and black beans pair well with potatoes.

Is sweet potato healthy?

Vitamins and Minerals
Just one sweet potato gives you 400% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body’s defense against germs. It’s also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.