Buzz
Sweet potatoes are nutrient-rich and versatile in cooking. They contain essential minerals and vitamins such as calcium, beta carotene, and vitamin C. Boiling sweet potatoes is a necessary step before consumption. You can peel them before boiling or boil them with the skin on. Once boiled, they can be used in a variety of dishes.
Steps
Boiling Peeled Sweet Potatoes
Wash the sweet potatoes. Always clean produce before cooking. Sweet potatoes are no exception. Rinse them under cold running water to remove dirt or soil. Ensure the skin is thoroughly cleaned before preparation.
Peel the sweet potatoes. You can use a vegetable peeler or a knife to remove the skin. Additionally, use a knife to trim off the ends of the sweet potatoes.
- If peeling proves difficult, start by scrubbing the skin with a vegetable brush. This will loosen the skin, making it easier to peel.
Prepare a pot. Choose a pot large enough to fully submerge all the sweet potatoes in water. Ensure the pot is spacious enough to accommodate the sweet potatoes without overcrowding. Also, make sure the pot has a lid.
- Once you have the right pot, fill it halfway with water.
- Add the sweet potatoes to the pot. Ensure they are fully submerged; add more water if necessary.
- Bring the water to a boil.
Boil for 10 minutes and then check. Place the sweet potatoes in the pot. Cover with a lid and boil for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the lid.
- The sweet potatoes should be tender enough to pierce easily with a fork. However, avoid using a knife to test their softness.
Boil longer if needed. If the sweet potatoes aren’t soft enough after 10 minutes, continue boiling for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. For extremely soft sweet potatoes, such as those needed for mashing, boil for about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Once the desired softness is achieved, transfer them to a colander to drain and cool.
Boiling Sweet Potatoes with Skin On
Wash the sweet potatoes. Rinse them under cold running water. Scrub the surface to remove any dirt or soil clinging to the skin.
Place the sweet potatoes in a pot. Choose a pot large enough to fully submerge all the sweet potatoes in water. Ensure the pot has a lid. Fill the pot with water until the sweet potatoes are completely covered. Place the pot on the stove and cover it.
Test the sweet potatoes with a knife after boiling for 10 minutes. Boil the sweet potatoes on high heat for 10 minutes. Then, remove the lid and take a knife. Pierce the sweet potatoes to check their tenderness.
Boil for an additional 20 minutes. After piercing the sweet potatoes, cover the pot again. Continue boiling on high heat for another 20 minutes.
- When the sweet potatoes are soft, you should be able to easily pierce them with a fork. If they’re not tender after 20 minutes, boil them longer.
Drain the water. Pour out all the hot water from the pot into a colander. Let the sweet potatoes cool in the colander until they’re safe to touch. To cool them faster, run cold water over them.
Peel the sweet potatoes. After boiling, the skin will come off more easily. Use a sharp knife to make a small cut in the skin. From there, you can peel it off smoothly, similar to peeling a banana.
Preparing Sweet Potatoes
Cut sweet potatoes into cubes for a side dish. Boiled sweet potatoes can be used as a side dish. Simply cut them into cubes. Then, mix thoroughly with butter, salt, and chili to taste.
Incorporate sweet potatoes into other dishes. You can dice sweet potatoes and add them to various dishes like salads, tacos, soups, stews, pasta, and casseroles. For a nutrient-rich meal, include a portion of sweet potatoes.
Make mashed sweet potatoes. Start by peeling the sweet potatoes if you’re making mashed sweet potatoes. Boil about six sweet potatoes and add them to a blender along with other ingredients.
- While blending, add 3/4 cup of milk, pouring half of it gradually into the blender.
- Also, include half a cup of butter and 3/4 cup of maple syrup.
Tips
- Ensure there’s enough water in the pot to fully submerge all the sweet potatoes. Otherwise, you’ll end up boiling some first and leaving the rest for later.
