February 22 is ‘Cook a Sweet Potato Day’

THE sweet potato has been cultivated and enjoyed for thousands of years, as its origin and domestication are estimated to have happened at least 5000 years ago.

When digging up the remains of an ancient Peruvian culture, researchers found remnants of sweet potatoes that may date back as far as 8000 BC.

When introduced to Europe in the 16th century, the sweet potato was automatically declared a delicacy and was very expensive.

As with other food-related events, part of the fun of Cook a Sweet Potato Day is that we can cook a sweet potato however we see fit. Whether it is boiled, steamed, fried or prepared with other delectable dishes, the sweet potato is both healthy and tasty.

Sweet potatoes can be used in salads, pies and soups. They can be used as a side dish or serve as the main course when made into a casserole. They can be combined with flour, yeast and several other ingredients to be made into rolls, or they can be combined with eggs, sugar and spices like cinnamon to make a delicious pie.

Here is a quick and easy recipe for some healthy ‘chips and dip’.

Ingredients: (serves 2)

3 sweet potatoes, cut into 2-3cm thick ‘chips’

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves

1 teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup thick sour cream

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 fresh clove garlic, minced

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Place the ‘chips’ on a foil-lined baking sheet. Toss well with the olive oil. Combine the basil, salt and pepper in a little bowl and sprinkle the mixture over the fries. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. In another bowl combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic and lemon juice. When the sweet potato fries come out of the oven, serve them with the garlic sauce alongside for dipping.

Happy ‘Cook a Sweet Potato Day’, everyone!

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