Baked Mashed Sweet Potato

Overview

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is native to Central and South America. It requires a long, warm growing season. Although sweet potatoes generally grow on vines, there are also bush varieties for gardeners with limited space. Many people confuse the yam (Dioscorea spp.) with the sweet potato when, in fact, they are not related. While the flavor of the sweet potato is moist and sweet, that of the yam is dry and starchy. Sweet potatoes, while an important food source in other countries, are consumed in high quantities primarily during the winter holidays in the United States.

Step 1

Place the oven rack in the center position in the oven, and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2

Poke each sweet potato with a fork, and then rub them with the oil.

Step 3

Line a baking sheet with foil and place the potatoes on it, keeping as much distance as possible between them. Put the potatoes on the oven rack.

Step 4

Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until a sharp knife can be easily inserted to the center of the potato.

Step 5

Remove the potatoes from the oven. When they are cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skins.

Step 6

Mash the potatoes or blend in a food processor until smooth.

Step 7

Add butter, cream, salt and sugar to a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until warm, not hot. Remove the pan from the heat, add the sweet potato pulp and use a potato masher to mash the mixture. Stir in the pepper and serve.