Sweet potatoes and yams are more or less interchangeable to me. I know they are different, but they are close enough for me that those subtle differences don’t really matter much to me. Sweet potatoes, as mentioned in their name, tend to be sweeter than yams, whereas yams tend to be more starchy and dry Yam are firmer than sweet potatoes, which are softer. But I am not alone in using these two tuber, root vegetables as the same thing. Most people, and most stores actually, call sweet potatoes “yams”. Sweet potatoes were first referred to as yams by the African slaves who had already been calling the ‘soft’ sweet potatoes ‘yams’ because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, ‘soft’ sweet potatoes were referred to as ‘yams’ to distinguish them from the ‘firm’ varieties.
A true yam is a starchy edible root of the Dioscorea genus, and is generally imported to America from the Caribbean. It is rough and scaly and very low in beta carotene. Over 50% of the sweet potatoes found in the United States are grown in North Carolina. Yams are grown all over the world , although 95% are still grown in West Africa.
Whether you call them “yams” or sweet potatoes, it doesn’t really matter. All I know is both are very tasty and very nutritious. I love them both. I made some sweet potato steak fries to go along with our fried chicken and Southern Succotash that were a big hit. Some Southern Succotash They were all great Southern flavors that went together very well.
Roasted Sweet Potato Steak Fries
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into thick strips
2 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP maple syrup
1 tsp dried ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
a little fresh ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 375* F or 190* C.
Mix all the ingredients together then toss the sweet potato strips into the mixture, making sure to thoroughly coat the fries.
Spread the fries onto a baking dish in a single layer and roast for about 30 minutes. Add a little parsley on top when they are done, and enjoy them while they’re hot.
Stay safe and stay well Everyone, and for those of you in the current ice belt, stay warm too. LOTS and LOTS of layers. ‘Til next time.
A Jeanne in the Kitchen 
Yum! I love sweet potatoes and fries, so that’s a perfect combo! God bless!
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Please let me know what you think of them when you make them. 🙂
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Yummy – I make them all the time, but minus maple syrup. I sprinkle smoked paprika on top.
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OOOOOOH that would be good too. YUM! I love paprika.
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Also, sweet potatoes are lower in carbs than yams and much less caloric, especially when baked. They have more nutrients and have a lower Glucemic Index. Bright orange ones are rich in beta carotine, just like carrots.
How is the weather in your neck of the woods? Are you ok?
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Very true.
We are cold, but it really isn’t out of the ordinary for us. We almost always have bright sunshine and blue skies, even in the cold. How about you?
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We’ve had our Florida winter, all three days of it. Now it’s in high 70’s, as it should be.
Be well and stay safe, dear Jeanne!
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One of these days, I will come down and join you in the Florida sunshine. 🙂
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And a glass or two of chilled Chardonnay – I am sooo looking forward to that day, dear Jeanne!
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Me too!!!!!!! 🙂
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I am always on the lookout for new ways to cook sweet potatoes. This looks great and I liked the history lesson.
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Thank you. I always learn a lot too. 🙂
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I have two sweet potatoes calling my name. 🍠
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Please let me know what you think when you make them. 🙂
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I love sweet potato fries! I think sweet potatos taste yummy! 💖😘
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Thank you. They were very good. I loved the maple syrup on them. 🙂
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