Yams are a root tuber often confused with sweet potatoes. Candied yams are a popular dish, requiring preparation of the tough outer skin before being covered in a sweet sauce and baked. They can be served as a side dish or dessert.
A yam is a root tuber that grows on the vine of the tropical plant Dioscorea batatas. Yams are often confused with another type of tuber, the sweet potato, and used interchangeably in recipes; however, while the texture is similar, sweet potatoes may not be as sweet and may require additional sugar for sweet dishes. One of the most commonly used sweet dishes for the tuber is candy yam, in which the yam is cooked with a syrup base.
If fresh yams are used to make candies, some preparation may be required before they are used in the dish. Yams have a tough outer skin that most cooks prefer to peel off before cooking. While the size and shape can vary depending on personal preference, recipes often call for yams to be cut into bite-sized cubes. If canned potatoes are used, no other preparation is usually recommended.
Once the potatoes are prepared, they are usually covered in a sweet sauce which will thicken as it cooks to form the syrup which clings to the sweet potatoes. Common candied potato recipes often use sugar, corn or maple syrup, and a variety of spices such as ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Other flavoring ingredients for salsa include citrus zest and juice or vanilla extract. The sweetness of the dish generally varies depending on personal preference, with some recipes recommending higher amounts of sugar and other sweeteners than others.
The process of making candied potatoes tends to be considered relatively simple. The peeled potato pieces are usually placed in a baking dish and then covered with the sauce. If the sauce contains a high amount of sugar, it is recommended that the yams be partially cooked before combining with the sauce because the sugar may burn before the raw yams are fully cooked. It may be recommended to periodically remove the dish from the oven and stir the yams to ensure they are evenly coated in the syrup.
Candied potatoes are usually served hot right after they’re done cooking. Depending on the amount of sweeteners used in the recipe, potatoes can be served as a side dish or as a dessert. The dish tends to pair well with pork or poultry, as well as other root vegetables, such as potatoes or carrots.
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