February 22 is National Cook a Sweet Potato Day!
Did you know that in 1943 Americans ate an average of 21.5 pounds of sweet potatoes each year and now we only eat about 4 pounds per year? Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, including vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin and phosphorus. Sweet potatoes are becoming widely grown in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including by MCFM vendors Dawn2Dusk Certified Organic Farm and Prairie Hollow Farm. Here are 5 seasonal ways to prepare this healthy superfood, besides sweet potato fries or caramelized and covered marshmallows.
1. Vegetarian Breakfast Enchiladas with Sweet Potatoes and Eggs
This flavorful breakfast from Food & Wine is perfect for brunch with its hearty flavors and easy scratch enchilada sauce made with canned tomatoes and dried spices–a great way to utilize your pantry during the winter months. Click here to get the recipe.
2. Sweet Potato and Mushroom Salad
An elegant roasted vegetables side dish from Food & Wine. Use this delicious miso mustard dressing to spice up other roasted vegetables dishes, too. It will keep in the refrigerator, in a small glass jar or other container up to one week. Click here to get the recipe.
3. Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Milk
This recipe, by Melissa Clark and featured in the New York Times, is a unique and refreshing way to cook a whole chicken, for those of us who get bored with the same old (albeit delicious!) oven roasted chicken. Not only is cooking with a whole bird more economical and a way to hone your knife skills, but it also allows for greater variety in flavor, since you are cooking all pieces of the chicken. Click here to get the recipe.
4. Braised Pork, Sweet Potato and Fennel Stew
This stew from Real Simple takes only 15-minutes of hands-on prep time to prepare and is perfect for week night dinners or a comforting Sunday supper. The rustic Italian flavors will warm you up on any winter night. Click here to get the recipe.
5. African Peanut Stew
This spicy and flavorful recipe is from Budget Bytes, a recipe blog showcasing affordable, scratch cooking. The total cost or this dish is estimated to be $12.32 and simply $2.05 per person using seasonal and local ingredients! Click here to get the recipe.
