Purple Sweet Potato The Ultimate Superfood

Sweet Potato Wonders: From Health to Taste and Recipes You’ll Love
Ever wonder what makes these purple sweet potatoes unique? With a bright color, distinctive flavor, and extraordinary health benefits, they are the stars of any dish. This reference will help guide you through all the different aspects from nutritional value to mouth-watering recipes. Once you are done with this you will be assured that it is time for you to bring some purple magic in and enchant friends and family into your kitchen.

What Are Purple Sweet Potatoes?

One variety of sweet potato is the purple sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are generally characterized by their deep purple flesh and their nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Originated from Japan and the Pacific Islands, it has now gained popularity in households due to its vibrant color and versatility in cooking. Compared to the orange sweet potato, the purple type, like Okina-wan and Stokes Purple, are a little bit denser with less sugar and a stronger, earthier flavor.

Health Benefits

Rich in antioxidants, the purple sweet potato contains the same anthocyanins as found in blueberries. Antioxidant action reduces inflammation, protects against certain cancers, and fosters heart health. Entwined with fiber, vitamins C and A, and potassium, these tubers sustain immunity and normal digestion.

How Purple Sweet Potatoes Differ from Other Sweet Potatoes

The orange ones tend to be softer and sweeter, but the purple sweet potatoes are somewhat harder and less sweet. This quality makes them excellent for baking, roasting, and even frying, as they have more impressive retention of shape. Plus, with the rich purple color, there is a higher concentration of antioxidants in them that will be better for your health than the types known by their orange color.

Tasty Purple Sweet Potato Recipes

A. Purple Sweet Potato Mash

The colorful twist on classic mashed potatoes is creamy, delicious, and just right as a side.

Ingredients:

2 large purple sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 tbsp butter

1/4 cup milk-or plant-based milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: garlic powder or chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil the purple sweet potatoes in a pot of water until soft-about 15 minutes.
2. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper, and mash until smooth.
4. Serve hot, sprinkled with chives or a light sprinkling of garlic powder, if desired.

B. Roasted Purple Sweet Potato Wedges

If you are in need of something crunchy but still healthy to munch on or as a side dish, these roasted wedges may be the thing to make.

Ingredients:

3 purple sweet potatoes cut into wedges

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional

Fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Toss the potato wedges with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.

Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Roast for 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway.

Sprinkle rosemary on top and serve with any favorite dip.

C. Purple Sweet Potato Soup

This is a creamy, vibrant soup for chilly days that brings out the natural sweetness of purple sweet potato.
Ingredients:

3 purple sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can coconut milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add the diced sweet potatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to boil, then simmer until potatoes are soft-about 20 minutes.
3. Purée until smooth, then stir in the coconut milk.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions. Serve warm.
5. Nutrition in Purple Sweet Potatoes

The nutrient profile of the purple sweet potato is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A. They contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that are associated with improved brain function and a reduction in inflammation. These colored potatoes will help feed one toward a well-rounded diet and even help keep one full for longer because of their fiber content.

Buying and Storing Purple Sweet Potatoes

When buying purple sweet potatoes, select firm-skinned ones that are free of blemishes. Avoid soft ones. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from the direct sunlight. Kept properly, they will last for two weeks. Cooked, they may be kept in the refrigerator up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.

Now that you have all the information on purple sweet potatoes-from health benefits to savory recipes-why not give it a try in the kitchen? The vibrant color and unique flavor of such potatoes will definitely make things interesting. Let us know in comments which recipe you’re most excited to try or share with us your favorite way of enjoying purple sweet potatoes!

Purple Sweet Potato The Ultimate Superfood

Recipe by emilyCourse: Recipes, Vegan foodCuisine: American, FusionDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

220

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 large purple sweet potatoes

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt

• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the sweet potatoes.
• Wash and dry the purple sweet potatoes thoroughly, then cut them into wedges of roughly equal size.
• In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
• Arrange the coated sweet potato wedges on a baking sheet in a single layer to promote even cooking.
• Bake the sweet potatoes in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once halfway, until tender and golden.
• Drizzle the baked sweet potato wedges with honey and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.