If you’re in charge of the yams for Thanksgiving dinner, you’re most likely makingsweet potatoesinstead.
Department of Agriculturealso requires yams that aren’t the real thing to be labeled as sweet potatoes.
So unless you’re in an international grocery store, you’re likely grabbing sweet potatoes.
Yams have a dark brown exterior and starchy white flesh. Sweet potatoes have a lighter reddish-brown exterior and usually orange flesh.Credit: Andy Lyons
For side dishes, they’re often boiled or baked (peeled or unpeeled).
They can be added to soups, stews, and braises.
Sometimes, boiled yams are mashed to serve as a side dish or an ingredient inquick breadsand pies.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
you’re free to follow our basic directions forboiling sweet potatoesto make perfect mashed dishes.
Fill the pot with just enough salted water to cover the yams.
After draining, you’re ready to use your boiled yams in any recipe that calls for them mashed.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Start by picking the right mashing tool for the job.
A potato masher, or anelectric mixerused at low speed, will produce fluffy, smooth mashed yams.
Measure the amount you need for the recipe.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Note that one medium yam (8 oz.)
yields about 1 13 cups of peeled, cooked mashed yams.
Simply drain and mash with a potato masher or electric mixer.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Measure the amount needed for your recipe.
Here’s how to make baked yams whole:
Preheat oven to 425F.
Scrub yams thoroughly with a vegetable brush, then pat dry.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Prick the yams with a fork.
Bake 40 to 60 minutes, or until tender.
Step 2: Peel
Place each baked yam inside akitchen towel.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Gently roll to soften the flesh.
Cut an X on the top of each, and press the skin to push the flesh upward.
it’s possible for you to serve them with butter, brown sugar, and/or cinnamon.
Credit:Jake Sternquist
Here’s how to get your yams on the table (or recipe-ready) in minutes.
Here are tips for how to make fries that will rival your favorite diner’s recipe.
See ourbaked sweet potato friesrecipe for the full instructions.
Step 1: Clean the Yams
Scrub the yams thoroughly with a brush, then pat dry.
You canpeel themor leave the skins on.
Use two baking sheets if things are getting too crowded.
Bake them until tender, turning once so they’re evenly cooked.
Store them whole and unpeeled in a cool, dry place for up to one week.
Donotrefrigerate yams, because they’ll dry out.
