Sweet potato: what is it?

Very close to the potatothe Yam easily grown in the vegetable garden. In addition to producing tender flesh with a very popular sweet taste, the sweet potato develops exuberant heart-shaped foliage and remarkable flowering, which gives it a very decorative appearance in a vegetable garden.

Sweet potato season

Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) is an exotic root vegetable native to America and is a member of the Convolvulaceae family (Convolvulaceae). This annual vegetable appreciates the heat to develop ; the tuber is therefore planted in the ground, in its final place, from May, once the last frosts have passed and the ground has warmed up.

It is possible to anticipate the development of tubers by germinating them indoors from January. The tuber will have roots and leaves when planted in May. Its creeping stems can reach several meters so plan some space on the ground or possibly install tutors or a trellis to occupy the space vertically. During cultivation, keep the soil clawed and free of weeds.

Once the flowering is over, the first days of frost have set in and the foliage has turned yellow, the harvest can take place, from October to November. Sweet potatoes are torn off like potatoes, by lifting them with a spade fork. Count between 100 and 150 days after planting to harvest the tubers.

Nutritional qualities of sweet potato

Like the carrots, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene. They also have the advantage of containing vitamin AC and contains antioxidants.

Sweet potato varieties

Depending on the varieties grown, you will harvest Sweet potatoes in various shapes and sizes, with the skin and flesh of colors different:

• ‘Evangeline’: with orange skin and tuber very appreciated for its sweet orange flesh;
• ‘Murasaki’: with purple skin, its white flesh is not very sweet but is appreciated for its nutty taste;
• ‘Bonita’: elongated tuber with pink skin and melting white flesh;
• ‘Beauregard’: with orange flesh and light pink skin;
• ‘Orléans’: large tuber with skin dew and with tender orange flesh;
• ‘Georgia Jet’: large tuber with pinkish red skin and dark yellow, sweet flesh;
• ‘Okinawa’: amazing all-purple sweet potato.

Storing and Cooking Sweet Potatoes

Once out of the ground, dry the sweet potatoes in the Sun then brush off the excess soil before bringing them under cover. You can keep them for many months, in a dark, cool (below 15°C) and well-ventilated room, as for potatoes. Purchased, consume them quickly because once at the fridgethe flesh will harden.

Use the tender flesh of sweet potatoes to cook invigorating mashed potatoes, fries or soups. A bit of originality on the plate with hummus or sweet potato gnocchi.