Yams and sweet potatoes are part and parcel of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, especially in the southern part of the United States. These can come in the form of a pie, an open tart, or simply as a plain dish of gooey caramelized goodness. They can come embellished with orange zest or topped with marshmallows. Some cooks will prepare them with a touch of bourbon and a splash of lemon juice so that you get a sweet-tart dessert in contrast to the turkey, the centerpiece of the meal.
Is it a Yam or a Sweet Potato?
The orange tubers served as Thanksgiving dessert are usually called yams, but they are actually sweet potatoes. There is a difference between a yam and a sweet potato, and although the dividing line between these two terms has blurred, the yam is a substantially different from the sweet potato. “What is the Difference Between a Yam and a Sweet Potato?” According to NCS Sweet Potatoes,” A true yam is a starchy edible root of the Dioscorea genus, and is generally imported to America from the Caribbean. It is rough and scaly and very low in beta carotene.” [Read more…]