Roast Sweet potatoes

Roast Sweet potatoes are the perfect balance of earthiness and caramelized goodness. With its naturally sweet flavor, and tender and buttery flesh, these roast sweet potatoes exude charm and sophistication. Many seasoned chefs consider roast sweet potatoes a must-have dish to serve their families and clients during the holidays.

Roasting is one of the best ways to prepare sweet potatoes. This method enhances their natural sweetness. But how do you bring out the earthiness of this root vegetable? Well, there are a few ways to do so. Sweet potatoes coupled with the right spices will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Sweet potatoes have a unique combination of starch and sugar. When they are exposed to heat, enzymes break down these starches, turning them into maltose, which has a mild sweetness. Roasting the sweet potato for a longer time creates a sweeter and more caramelized dish.

If you’re looking to improve your side-dish game, these Roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect way to do so. Their natural sweetness makes them the perfect companion to your main meal.

In this recipe, we chose an unusual pairing of spices to accentuate the earthiness of the sweet potato. Allspice adds to the natural warmth of roast sweet potatoes. Its unique combination of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon complements the caramelization process, adding complex notes to this dish. Adding paprika and brown sugar amplifies the sweet-and-savoury balance.

What do you need to make Roast Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potato, Olive oil, Brown sugar, Salt, Ground Allspice, Dried parsley, Dried rosemary and Dried thyme.

Brown sugar elevates the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, creating a caramelized coating during the roasting process. Sweet potatoes have a lot of natural sweetness, so it is advisable to use brown sugar sparingly. On the other hand, salt balances out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Allspice is an aromatic spice that adds depth to the dish.

The composition of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon adds a beautiful sweetness to the potatoes. Dried Parsley adds an herbaceous taste to the sweet potatoes and enhances the dish’s visual appearance. Dried Rosemary has a pine-like aroma and a woody and earthy tone. Crushing the leaves will help release the oils. Thyme adds a delicate and savoury flavour that rounds up the seasoning blend.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C. Peel the skin of the sweet potato and cut it into 1-inch cubes. First, cut the sweet potato into 1-inch thick circles, and then cut it into cubes. Gather the condiments, such as ground allspice, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and brown sugar.

Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the casserole in a single layer. Space them between each other to ensure that all their surfaces are caramelized. Drizzle the olive oil, sprinkle the condiments on the sweet potato, and then toss to coat. 

Place the casserole with sweet potatoes in the preheated oven. Bake the sweet potatoes for twenty-five to thirty minutes. Flip the sweet potatoes halfway through to roast them evenly. The edges of the cubes will become crispy, and you can poke the sweet potatoes with a fork to see if they are fully cooked and if the fork has no residue.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes to Perfection

Start by choosing the firmest and smoothest sweet potatoes with no signs of visible bruising. The best sweet potatoes have orange flesh. Wash the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt.

How to Serve Roast Sweet Potatoes?

Roasted or baked sweet potatoes are delicious and can be enjoyed with many varieties of dishes. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes enhances the overall taste of the dish and adds a pack of healthy benefits. 

There are a number of ways to serve roast sweet potatoes, including Grilled Lamb Chops, Baked Fish, Baked Chicken Leg quarters, and Roast Chicken. A Sweet potato Salad is also a good idea.

If you are looking for a vegetarian option, then tofu would be ideal. Add an Asiatic twist to the tofu with a delicious soy or oyster sauce base. This combination would be an easy fit for those with busy schedules.

Baked Chicken and Roasted Sweet Potatoes: This is an ideal combination of savoury, sweet, and smoky flavours. The soft, creamy texture of the sweet potatoes complements the succulent and tender chicken, creating a match made in heaven.

Pairing a green salad with roasted sweet potatoes would be incredibly delicious and nutritious for you. Use a tangy vinaigrette which will balance the sweetness of the roast sweet potatoes. And, if you want a more savoury option, consider Roasted potatoes as an alternative to the Sweet potatoes.

How to Store Roast Sweet Potatoes?

Store in an airtight container for two to three days. Sweet potatoes can also be frozen. It will last for three months in the freezer. Defrost and reheat in the oven or in a pan on the stove-top with some butter.

Expert tips

Choose firm and unblemished sweet potatoes. Also worth mentioning are two types of sweet potatoes: orange-fleshed and white-fleshed. The orange-fleshed sweet potato is lighter and sweeter, and the white-fleshed sweet potato is more dense and starchier. Cutting the sweet potatoes uniformly into cubes will ensure that they are baked evenly. Spread out the cubed sweet potatoes in a single layer without overcrowding them.

This will ensure that they caramelize on their surfaces. Olive oil is the most commonly used cooking fat for roasting the sweet potatoes. Coconut oil is an alternative for extra flavour, and butter is an alternative for richness in the dish.