The last official day of summer is September 21 and fall begins the next day. Sweet potatoes are available most of the year, but the fall season is truly when they shine as that is when the fresh crop comes in. Select potatoes as blemish-free as possible, and store them in a cool, dark place that’s a bit warmer than the refrigerator, where they can last a few months. The ideal temperature for storing sweet potatoes is in the 50s. They’re so versatile that they can be roasted, mashed, grilled, stuffed or fried and still taste amazing.
1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes (pictured above)
You need only five ingredients to get great flavor from this roasted sweet potato side dish. Toast the cumin and Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, then then grind them. Sprinkle the spices and salt over sweet potatoes, drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until tender.
2. Oven-Dried Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Alex Guarnaschelli cooks whole sweet potatoes until they’re tender, then scoops out the flesh and bakes once more. Combine the sweet potato flesh with butter, cream, salt and pepper. Serve the mashed potatoes with a browned butter, orange juice, orange zest, sherry and molasses syrup.
3. Sweet Potato Wedges with Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
If it’s still warm where you are, sweet potatoes are great when cooked on the grill. They’re easy to skewer and are served with a cooling cilantro and yogurt dipping sauce.
4. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Sweet and Spicy Walnuts
Add browned butter, spices, cream and orange juice to sweet potato flesh before stuffing back into potato shells. Bake until the filling is browned and the potatoes start to brown around the edges, then top with maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne and orange zest-coated walnuts.
5. Sweet Potato Fries with Chili Coconut Dip
Working in batches, fry sweet potato slices in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle liberally with a mixture of cardamom, paprika and salt; serve with Chili Coconut Dip.
More Sweet Potato Recipes from Family & Friends:
Blue Apron Blog: Red, Orange, Purple and White: Your Guide to the Potato Rainbow
The Heritage Cook: Fully Loaded Green Chile Potato Skins
Feed Me Phoebe: Basque Tuna Stew with Peppers and Potatoes
Weelicious: Broccoli Cheese Patties
Domesticate Me: Potato Rosti with Pancetta and Mozzarella
The Sensitive Epicure: Salt Encrusted New Potatoes with Mustard-Mayo Dip
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Sweet Potato and Russet Pancakes with Chipotle Mayo
Red or Green: Roasted Sweet Potato Fries
And Love It Too: Sweet Potato Souffle
Taste With The Eyes: Ensalada de Papas a la Huancaina (Peruvian-Style Salad with Potato Cake, Egg and Yellow Chile)
FN Dish: Ease Out of Summer with Potatoes
What’s Gaby Cooking: Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Dishin & Dishes: Southern Green Beans and New Potatoes