My family always ate candied sweet potatoes (or yams) for special meals, like Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Yet, I find that many people have never tried this delicious & nutritious vegetable!
I once read that yams of various kinds can be grown all over the world. Because of their high level of nutrients, if people in underdeveloped countries were to learn to grow yams, much of the world's hunger problems could be solved. (I learned this so long ago, that I doubt there's an online source for you to read.) Here's a link to more information about the nutrients found in sweet potatoes.
My mother used to prepare candied sweet potatoes this way: Gently boil the sweet potato, until it is cooked through, but not mushy. (Just as with regular potatoes, use a skewer, to check.) Carefully strip off the skin, slice the potatoes, and lay the pieces in a single layer in a broiling pan or jelly roll sheet (with an edge). Sprinkle a little brown sugar on top of each slice, then drop a dab of butter or margarine on top of the sugar. Broil for about 3 minutes, to toast the topping, and serve.
Sweet potatoes can be treated just as regular potatoes: baked, mashed, puréed, croquette, and so on. Many restaurants are now offering sweet potato fries, as an alternative to regular French fries. Try them!
And, of course, our common sweet potatoes are orange!
