Sweet potato
Appearance
Sweet potato is a starchy vegetable crop in tropical and temperate climates. The roots are sweet, but have a low glycemic index, so they're often a good choice for diabetics.
The vine has edible leaves which are high in protein (approximately 25-29% protein, dry weight). The roots are very low in protein.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Take cuttings from the vine, about 20 cm (8 in) long. Remove all the leaves except at the very top, and bury it just below the surface.[verification needed]
Cooking[edit | edit source]
Sweet potato can be cooked in many ways. Its sweetness is delicious in many kinds of dishes, including soups, casseroles and roasts. E.g.
- Roast them whole in an oven for an hour at 350 F (175 C), remove skins, add butter, salt and lots of black pepper. If the skins are thin and clean, you may even like to eat the skins.
- Stir fry them. They will need longer than most other vegetables - make sure they have time to get soft.
The leaves are a pleasant tasting vegetable, and can be steamed or stir-fried.