Sweet potatoes ... everything you've ever wanted to know
Imposter alert ... Sweet potatoes aren't actually a potato! Despite their name, they don’t belong to the potato family.
Sweet potatoes are a sweet-tasting tuberous root vegetable whereas potatoes are a starchy, tuberous crop with a swollen underground stem or shoot. Irrespective of their name, sweet potatoes are a tasty and nutritious veggie that is a great addition to your diet.
Sweet potatoes are a great source of Vitamin A, C, and B6. They have plenty of dietary fibre to keep your digestive system healthy and contain potassium, folate, niacin and calcium. Sweet potatoes also offer the lowest glycaemic index (GI) rating of all root vegetables which is great for keeping you feeling full for longer.
When buying sweet potatoes, choose firm ones and avoid any holes or cuts that penetrate the skin of the vegetable. Sweet potatoes should be stored in a cool dark well-ventilated place. Do not store them in plastic bags or the fridge. The skin can be left on if you scrub it thoroughly or you can peel them. Sweet potatoes can be sliced, diced, baked whole, sautéed, barbecued, fried or mashed or try our recipe for delicious baked sweet potato chips.
