Top 10 Best-Rated Sweet Potato Dishes from Around the World
Sweet potatoes are celebrated as one of the healthiest root vegetables, offering a nutritious alternative to regular potatoes. Rich in vitamin A and antioxidants like anthocyanins and carotenoids, they help neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and may lower risks of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular issues, and diabetes. Their versatility shines in dishes ranging from fries and stews to hummus and cupcakes, making them a global favorite.
In recognition of their culinary excellence, Taste Atlas recently unveiled a list of the 19 best-rated dishes featuring sweet potatoes. Here, we highlight the top 10 must-try dishes for every food enthusiast, showcasing diverse flavors and traditions from Portugal to the Caribbean.
1. Bolo do Caco
Originating from Portugal, Bolo do caco is a leavened bread crafted from wheat flour, mashed sweet potatoes, water, and salt. Baked on large basalt stone slabs, it is typically flat and round, offering a unique texture and taste.
2. Kakiage
This Japanese delight involves thinly sliced vegetables like carrots, onions, lotus roots, and sweet potatoes, often mixed with small seafood pieces. Coated in a batter of flour, water, and egg yolk, it is deep-fried until crispy and served with dipping sauces as a light main course.
3. Goguma Mattang
Also known as Candied Sweet Potatoes, this traditional South Korean sweet treat and side dish combines sweet potatoes with honey, sugar, oil, and walnuts. The ingredients are steamed and then deep-fried for a delightful crunch.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Native to the United States, this open pie blends milk, eggs, sugar, and mashed sweet potatoes. Flavored with spices like vanilla or nutmeg in the South, it is sometimes topped with marshmallow pieces in the North, adding a sweet twist.
5. Bánh Tôm
From Vietnam, Bánh tôm or Shrimp and Sweet Potato Fritters feature julienned sweet potatoes coated in batter and topped with a shrimp before being deep-fried to a crispy perfection.
6. Dulce de Batata
This jelly-like dessert, popular in various regions, is made from mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla flavoring, and a thickening agent. Once cooked, it is chilled to set, offering a refreshing sweet treat.
7. Jarret de Boeuf
A French stew, Jarret de boeuf includes meat cooked with vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, leeks, and aubergines, creating a hearty and flavorful dish.
8. Sweet Potato Pudding
This Jamaican baked dessert mixes grated sweet potatoes with coconut milk, sugar, spices, and flavorings. Baked until firm, it has a dense, moist consistency, often using local yellow or orange sweet potatoes for a firmer texture.
9. Ducana
Popular in Caribbean islands like Antigua, Montserrat, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ducana is a dumpling made with coconut and sweet potatoes, typically cooked in banana leaves and served with stewed or salted fish.
10. Caribbean Potato Stuffing
This Caribbean dish combines white sweet potatoes with onions, bell peppers, olive oil, bay leaves, raisins, brown sugar, tomato paste, butter, milk, and black pepper, resulting in a rich and savory stuffing.
These dishes not only highlight the global appeal of sweet potatoes but also their adaptability in various cuisines. Whether you are a health-conscious eater or a culinary explorer, these top-rated recipes offer something for everyone to enjoy.
