Boiling sweet potatoes is not only okay, but it is actually one of the easiest and most popular ways to cook them. According to the USDA, boiling sweet potatoes retains most of their nutrients and antioxidants, making it a healthier option compared to other cooking methods. In fact, boiling sweet potatoes can increase their antioxidant activity by 64 percent.
In addition to being healthy, boiled sweet potatoes are also extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, casseroles, and salads. Boiled sweet potatoes can even be mashed and used as a substitute for mashed white potatoes.
To boil sweet potatoes, simply follow these steps:
Peel and chop sweet potatoes into even-sized pieces.
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Add sweet potato pieces to the boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
Drain the water and serve the sweet potatoes as desired.
As Oprah Winfrey once said, “I love sweet potatoes. I love them baked, boiled, fried, mashed and roasted.”
Here are some interesting facts about sweet potatoes:
Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
They are not actually related to regular potatoes but are instead in the morning glory family.
Sweet potatoes were first cultivated in Central and South America over 5,000 years ago.
The orange-fleshed sweet potato, also known as the yam, was introduced to Africa during the slave trade and has since become a staple food in many African countries.
Sweet potato leaves are also edible and can be used in salads or cooked in a similar way to spinach.
In conclusion, boiling sweet potatoes is a healthy and versatile cooking option that can be used in a variety of dishes. So next time you’re in the kitchen, consider boiling some sweet potatoes to add some nutrition and flavor to your meals.
Here is a table summarizing the nutritional content of sweet potatoes:
Nutrient
Amount per 1 cup (200g)
Calories
180
Fiber
7g
Vitamin C
40% of recommended daily intake
Potassium
15% of recommended daily intake
Magnesium
10% of recommended daily intake
Video answer to “Is it OK to boil sweet potatoes?”
In the video “How To Boil Sweet Potatoes (BEST METHOD)”, the presenter demonstrates how to boil sweet potatoes using a large pot with boiling water and salt. She covers the pot and creates a small vent to prevent water splashing. Once cooked, she drains the water from the pot and adds various seasonings. The presenter taste-tests and approves of the flavors. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to leave comments and subscribe for future videos.
Further answers can be found here
Boiling sweet potatoes is an easy way to get perfectly tender potatoes that can be used in numerous recipes. What is this? While you can Bake Sweet Potatoes in the Oven, or make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes… Cooking them in a pot of boiling water is definitely a foolproof method for an easy side dish.
I am confident you will be intrigued
Is it healthy to boil sweet potatoes?
Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.
Why not to boil sweet potatoes?
Boiling sweet potatoes does leach out nutrients, but according to physician and author Dr. Michael Greger, of NutritionFacts.org, boiling sweet potatoes lowers their glycemic index, which means you get less insulin spike after eating them.
How long should I boil my sweet potatoes?
In reply to that: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and let the potatoes cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until you can easily pierce several pieces (always test more than one) with a knife. Potatoes cut into small pieces will take less time to cook.
Is it better to boil sweet potatoes whole or cut up?
The response is: If you’re making mashed sweet potatoes, it’s best to chop the potatoes instead of boiling them whole because it will save you time. To boil about 4 pounds of chopped sweet potatoes (roughly six sweet potatoes), it will take about 15 to 20 minutes if you start them in cold water.
Do you have to peel a sweet potato before boiling?
You do notneed to peel sweet potatoes before boiling. If leaving the peel on, you will need to pierce the skin of the potato with a fork a few times. Also, boiling a sweet potato with the peel will require slightly more time for it to cook through.
Do you need to cut potatos before you boil them?
Answer will be: When they are finished boiling, the potatoes can be easily skinned and cut. If you’re using waxy potatoes, like fingerling or red potatoes, cut them up before boiling them. These varieties contain a lot less starch than russets and won’t absorb water in the way that they do.
Is it better to bake, boil, or steam sweet potatoes?
Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming.Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling.Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.
Do you have to peel a sweet potato before boiling?
You do notneed to peel sweet potatoes before boiling. If leaving the peel on, you will need to pierce the skin of the potato with a fork a few times. Also, boiling a sweet potato with the peel will require slightly more time for it to cook through.
Do you need to cut potatos before you boil them?
The response is: When they are finished boiling, the potatoes can be easily skinned and cut. If you’re using waxy potatoes, like fingerling or red potatoes, cut them up before boiling them. These varieties contain a lot less starch than russets and won’t absorb water in the way that they do.
Is it better to bake, boil, or steam sweet potatoes?
Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming.Baking can also cause an 80% drop in vitamin A levels, twice as much as boiling.Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, boiling rather than baking should be recommended for cooking sweet potato.