What are yams?

Question

And does anyone have any good recipes for them? I would like to try some yams....so, thanks!

Answer 1

Several decades ago when orange flesh sweet potatoes were introduced in the southern United States producers and shippers desired to distinguish them from the more traditional white flesh types. The African word "nyami" referring to the starchy, edible root of the Dioscorea genus of plants was adopted in its English form, "yam". Yams in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes with relatively moist texture and orange flesh. Although the terms are generally used interchangeably, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the label "yam" always be accompanied by "sweet potato." The versatile sweet potato is ideal fare for the health - conscious food consumer. With the ever-growing interest in health and natural foods, the sweet potato is quickly finding its place in the family weekly diet the year around. The sweet potato blends with herbs, spices and flavorings producing delicious dishes of all types. From processed baby foods to the main dishes, casseroles, salads, breads and desserts, sweet potatoes add valuable, appetizing nutrients and color to any meal.

As a main dish or prepared as a dessert, the sweet potato is a nutritious and economical food. One baked sweet potato (3 1/2 ounce serving) provides over 8,800 IU of vitamin A or about twice the recommended daily allowance, yet it contains only 141 calories making it valuable for the weight watcher. This nutritious vegetable provides 42 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C, 6 percent of the RDA for calcium, 10 percent of the RDA for iron, and 8 percent of the RDA for thiamine for healthy adults. It is low in sodium and is a good source of fiber and other important vitamins and minerals. A complex carbohydrate food source, it provides beta carotene which may be a factor in reducing the risk of certain cancers.

For the most food value, choose sweet potatoes of a deep orange color.

When buying sweet potatoes, select sound, firm roots. Handle them carefully to prevent bruising. Storage in a dry, unrefrigerated bin kept at 55-60 degrees F. is best. DO NOT REFRIGERATE, because temperatures below 55 degrees F. will chill this tropical vegetable giving it a hard core and an undesirable taste when cooked.

Wash cured sweet potatoes and bake or boil until slightly soft. If boiled, drain immediately. Thoroughly cool the baked or boiled sweet potatoes. Wrap individually (skins left on) in freezer film or foil and place in plastic freezer bags. Seal, label and freeze.

Most sweet potato dishes freeze well. Save time and energy by making a sweet potato dish to serve and one to store in the freezer.

See the reference page for recipes. I particularly like the orange sweet potatoes commonly called yams in the USA, prepared by peeling, boiling, mashing with a little salt and butter, spread in a casserole and topped with tons of miniature marshmallows and set under the broiler until the marshmallows are toasted and gooey delicious.

Answer 2

Sweet potatoes

We bake them about 1 1/2 at 375 till soft and then put butter and cinnomon sugar on them

Or

Use the yams in the can - 2 16 oz cans and mash them and add 1/2 - 3/4 cup brown sugar - 2 tablespoon cinnomon - dash of vanilla and crushed pecans about 1 - 1 1/2 cups and bake in oven for 20-30 minutes at 350

Answer 3

Title: Baked Yams with Lime and Honey
Categories: Casseroles, Potatoes
Yield: 6 To 8

3 lg Yams; about 4 lbs
1/2 c Water
6 tb Honey
4 tb Unsalted butter; room temp
4 Limes; Juice of
1 1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Fresh ground black pepper
Sour cream; garnish

Preheat the oven to 350~. Wash the yams and place in a baking dish with
the
water. Bake until the potatoes are soft and the skins puffy, about 1
1/2
hours. Set aside to cool slightly (leave the oven on). Peel the yams
and
place in a medium baking dish. Add the honey, butter, lime juice, salt
and
pepper. Stir and mash well with a potato masher. Cover with aluminum
foil
and return to the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until heated through.
Sprinkle
the top with sour cream and serve hot.

Answer 4

They are similar to sweet potatoes, but contrary to common belief THEY ARE NOT THE SAME (see my sources below). My favorite yam dish is the "candied yam" my grandmother and mother always make for Thanksgiving. My wife's family cooks them like kimmysue62 (below) but this one is my all-time favorite. It's very simple, but they don't use a written recipe. I'll try to recreate it for you:

Peal the yams and slice them width-wise into one-inch thick cylendars. Pre-boil them until they are barely tender on the outside.

Use an electric griddle on medium heat. Add a three table spoons of butter (definitely not margarine or other oil). Once it's melted, add the yams and enough brown sugar to cover the yams. As the sugar melts, use a spatula to spoon it over the yams. Flip them when they're about half-cooked. They're done when they are a little softer than cooked carrots.

It sounds like a lot of work, but I guarantee you will be happy with the results. Oooooh.... I can't wait for Thanksgiving!!!!

Answer 5

yams are sweet potatoes.

take canned yams(you can use fresh, but you gotta boil them till tender)
Put them in a baking pan,
place brown sugar and marshmellows over them and bake for 45 mins.

Alot of people just bake them like a normal potatoe too.
this is how you make candied yams, and they are good.

Put brown sugar as needed for taste. need to put at least half a cup.

Answer 6

Sweet potatoes are sometimes referred to as yams but true yams do not grow in this country just use sweet potatoes and your recipe will be yummy

Answer 7

Yams are more moist and orange-colored, and sweeter.
Look for smooth, even colored skins; potatoes that are firm and nicely shaped.

"Orange-Glazed Sweet Potatoes" - 4 to 6 servings

2 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 6 medium)
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Heat oven to 400*. Pare sweet potatoes; cut each lengthwise in half. Arrange in ungreased 1 1/2-quart casserole.
In small saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, salt and orange peel. Slowly stir orange juice into sugar mixture. Add butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
Pour hot orange juice mixture over sweet potatoes in casserole. Cover; bake 1 hour, basting occasionally.

Answer 8

Cut them up just like potatoes,(about 4) and put them in a baking pan, add some butter or magarine, about half a cup melted, pour over them and add some brown sugar ans walnuts. Yum, Cook for about 45 mins.

Answer 9

It's another word for sweet potatoes. They are good baked like a regular baked potatoe. Then add butter and cinnamon. They are also in season right now, so they shouldn't be hard to find.

Answer 10

They're sweet potatoes. You can boil and mash them like regular potatoes with butter and a pinch of cinnamon and a touch of orange juice.

Or you can peel and cube them and bake them in a dish with brown sugar, pineapple juice, cinnamon and nutmeg with mini marshmallows on top.

You can cut them into wedges and deep fry or bake them to make sweet potato fries.