regular and white sweet potatoes

[TerriS]

In addition to my other adventurous purchases at the farmer's market last week, I picked up sweet potatoes - white and regular. Just to be crazy. I want to make them with salmon burgers and my roasted greens tonight, but am torn. How different are the flavors? I was thinking about the soy-glazed sweet potatoes, which are in wedges, which would allow us to see and taste the difference. Or I could mash them together with buttermilk or something. I've searched around but not seen any recipes specific to white sweet potatoes. Any suggestions?

[sneezles]

I've never even heard of white sweet potatoes! Does their skin look the same? Do they smell the same? Sorry for all the questions but I'm thinking it would be great to have them then I could fool the DSs into trying something new (trickery works best with that crew!).

[TerriS]

The ones I have look the same from the outside, just a tad lighter. I don't know what they look like on the inside yet but I think they are white or light yellow.

[avariell]

i feel like there was a blurb about sweet potatoes in october's CL.. maybe i hallucinated it :)

i think the white ones might be milder in flavor (not quite as sweet) but are pretty common. if you aren't sure about the sugar content in your sweet potato prior to cooking, cut off a tiny bit and microwave it and taste it (or just taste it raw, im sure you can get a good idea for the sweetness level that way) :)

i think i'd prefer them roasted.... but i am obsessed with roasting root vegetables (any vegetables actually! :))

[sneezles]

Originally posted by avariell
i feel like there was a blurb about sweet potatoes in october's CL.. maybe i hallucinated it :)

You were right...There are also white sweet potatoes-most are quite dry, better in stews or gratins with lots of added moisture. A few white sweet potatoes are Asian varieties that turn gelatinous when grated

[Beth Y]

I love white sweet potatoes. We have many varieties available here in the south and I like them better. The orange ones here seem to be either mealy and tasteless or tooooooo sweet. The white ones that I get at the farmers market are either called Beauregards or Old Timey or Betas. Anyway, I think they are more savory sweet and richer. Just a more mellow yummy moist flavor. I love them just roasted or baked and served with a little butter. UMMMMMM. Otherwise, you can use them just like the orange ones.

[pattiarl]

Terri, which farmer's market did you find these? I usually go to Clarendon on Saturday morning and I don't remember seeing them.

Thanks.

[TerriS]

I go to the market in Falls Church.

[TerriS]

Well, for those of you who were wondering...
I made Sweet Sweet Potatoes last night out of the Moosewood lowfat favorites book. The white sweet potatoes seemed firmer and had a more subtle flavor. However, when peeling them, I noticed that they discolored almost immediately, which made them less appealing on the plate. I think I'll make whipped mashed sweet potatoes with the ones I have left.