Fab Fall Food/Sweet Potato (Daily Dish)
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| Mon, 10-04-2004 - 12:21pm |
Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They are at their peak abundance from September through December and are an acceptable addition to The South Beach Dietâ„¢ beginning in Phase 2. Here are a few tips for buying, storing, and eating sweet potatoes.
Buying: Look for thick and solid potatoes with no bruises or signs of decay. Sweet potatoes typically taper at one end and are characterized by their dry, yellow flesh. They are originally from the West Indies but are now grown in many parts of the United States. Since sweet potatoes can vary in size, choose small ones when first reintroducing them to your diet.
Storing: Sweet potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place. Refrigeration is not a good idea, as the cold temperature can damage them. They should be used within two weeks of purchase.
Eating: Before preparing, make sure to scrub your sweet potatoes thoroughly with a potato brush. They grow under the ground and, therefore, collect a lot of dirt. To cook, you can either boil them and mash them as you would regular potatoes, or you can roast or bake them in the oven. If you choose to bake them whole, make sure you pierce the skin several times with a fork to avoid an explosion.

