How to Cook Sweet Potatoes

Bake them, fry them, boil them, mash them or grill them, sweet potatoes taste delicious. No wonder so many people enjoy their taste and favor them over other vegetables, also helps because they cook real fast. Contrary to the belief that potatoes are not very good for health, it is power packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients and minerals. In most cases, it is the cooking medium that is the real culprit, not the vegetable.

Different Ways to Cook Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be baked and/or grilled in an oven, cooked in the microwave or on burners, and used for making a wide variety of meals. Before you get down to cooking potatoes, a word about its selection. Choose small to medium-sized ones if you plan to cook them whole, else large ones for frying chips and wedges, and making mashed potatoes would be perfect. Select potatoes that are firm and rounded or oblong with unblemished skin. Avoid potatoes that soft or squishy to feel, and ones with green sprouts, they tend to poison the potatoes. Before cooking sweet potatoes, scrub the skin well to remove all dirt. Cut or peel all bruised or sprouted portions. Once the selection and cleaning is done, it's time to cook them in a few different ways listed below.

In a Microwave
When using a microwave, wash sweet potatoes and pat them dry completely. Leave the skin on and pierce each potato a couple of times with a fork. Piercing is essential to ensure that the steam has a let out and the potatoes do not explode in the microwave. Place a baking sheet on a microwave dish, and arrange the potatoes on it, ensuring that they do not overlap each other. Microwave them on for about five minutes, turning them over once in-between cooking time. Peel potatoes or use them for cooking after letting them stand for a couple of minutes, this will soften them while holding them firm. If you plan to mash them, microwave sweet potatoes for two extra minutes on high.

In a Crock Pot
Crock pot or a slow cooker is a great way to cook food for those who are short on time. You can leave the food cooking on for hours without burning it, or worrying about it becoming nutrition deficient. Take same-sized peeled or unpeeled potatoes, wash them well, without drying up the moisture. Place potatoes in the crock pot and cook them on high for about three to four hours depending upon the size of the potatoes. One can add seasoning, herb garnishes or gravy to the sweet potatoes to enhance their taste while getting a meal ready.

In a Conventional Oven
Sweet potatoes can easily be baked in a conventional oven without worrying about it burning. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. After washing the potatoes, prick the potato skin several times. This will help the steam to escape, as the potatoes are getting baked. In an oven proof dish, place a baking sheet with potatoes spaced out or wrapped in an aluminum foil. Bake for an hour, turning them over once. Remove from oven, and place on a wire rack to cool them off. One can even bake a potato casserole completely with seasoning and other vegetables.

Cooking sweet potatoes also includes boiling them in hot water for half an hour, as well as frying them in hot oil. So without wasting another minute, cook your favorite sweet potatoes and relish the taste!