Savory "sweet "Potatoes

The sweet potato, which is also sometimes called a yam in the United States, is only a distant relative to the potato and not really a yam at all.  But these are only labels and if you really want to know about the biology and history of the sweet potato then I suggest you visit the sweet Sweet Potato Museum in Raleigh-Durham, NC.  Growing up, I thought that sweet potatoes were a disgusting canned mess, reserved for Thanksgiving, that could only be served if disguised under liberal globs of pecans, brown sugar, butter and marshmallows.  I am not a big fan of sweet except for dessert so I didn't like sweet potatoes.  Sweet potato pie really didn't capture my imagination either. 

Now though, I am a huge fan of sweet potatoes.  I love to eat them in curries.  I could eat them instead of regular French fries every time but the recipe I am sharing today you will have to trust me on.  It sounds ridiculous. It is delicious. It is easy! Your kids will eat it.  Your mother-in-law might even ask you for it but you can claim it as a family secret.

Savory Sweet Potatoes

Peel and cube 14 to 16 ozs. Of fresh sweet  potatoes

Cut into 1/2 in square cubes

1 large red onion peeled, halved length-wise and cut into about eight total wedges

1/3 cup olive oil

2 teaspoon fresh thyme ( what! No fresh thyme, the next ingredient is ketchup, use dried thyme, a generous teaspoon, maybe more if your thyme is a little old, more than 6 months since you opened it )

1 tablespoons ketchup ( Yes this hurts to share but this recipe is no good with any substitute. You must use ketchup.  Don't be a snob!)

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon  ground pepper

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir until well mixed.  Pour onto a double layer on heavy-duty aluminum foil. If you are grilling, place packet on the grill as you preheat it and cook for about 30 minutes with the grill at 350 to 400. Same instructions for in the oven.  This keeps for up to an hour very well at warm (175) so you could cook ahead and serve later if needed.

This is good with pork or turkey.

Two fun facts.

1. The sweet potato skin isn't really  a skin. When the tubers are harvested, they are heated for a time and the outer layer dries out and get tough for the trip to the grocery store.

2. If you do not want your sweet potato to split while cooking, round all the edges.  Then it will hold together.