Thursday, July 31, 2008

DO YOU LIKE SWEET TATERS?



of course the foliage is absotively beautiful!

but, did you know that you can pluck the greenery from the potato, stick it into some soil and in about two months have your very own sweet potatoes?

first you'll need a sweet potato - next you'll need to poke a bamboo skewer through it's midsection and place it into a tall cup or jar of water, remembering to keep water in it up midway until the greenery comes on.

when you have done this and your greenery appears, wait until each frond is about eight to ten inches long, pluck it off and stick it about two to three inches into a large pot of loose soil. indoors in the winter, moving the pot outdoors in the warmer months.

it takes about two months to realize your crop and you'll need to put on a pair of rubber gloves and dig down into the soil to check on the progress of the tater - we like ours to be at least six inches in length and about as big around as a half dollar for frying. larger for boiling or baking.

some benefits of sweet potatoes!

frying:

place about two tablespoons of canola (or other good oil) into a frying pan - put four cups of scrubbed and sliced sweet potatoes (unpeeled) into hot oil - fry until tender and serve. you may also add midway through whatever spices you'd like.

if you'll notice - the sweet potatoes DO NOT absorb any of the oil - i thought it was magic at first, but they just don't get greasy - most of the oil is left standing right in the pan! TOSS IT!

remember when frying sweet potatoes with other potatoes - they get done quicker than the other potatoes so slice them twice as thick.

ENJOY!

19 comments:

Eyes said...

How interesting! I have a couple I bought at the store, having never had them before. Will they grow 'eyes' like normal potatoes? I don't have any bamboo. They look like they would make a nice house plant. Do you have to dig up the spuds to keep them growing?

The Merry Widow said...

Eyes-Use 3 toothpicks spaced around the tater to hold it in the cup.
The flowers are interesting...and if you grow it inside, it can take over.
Dad used to swear he needed a machete to safely cross the living room in the middle of the night...

tmw

nanc said...

eyes - get the shiskabob skewers - they work perfectly.

tmw - the one i started all those months ago is still producing!

Papa Frank said...

Our farmer's market has someone who brings tons of sweet potatoes. We buy a half bushel for $5. They bring them with the dirt still on them and we've found that if we get the dirty ones then they keep in our garage for 8 or 9 months. Have you found this to be true as well? Do they really keep better if you don't wash the dirt off?

Z said...

VERY thinly sliced and baked in a single layer on a baking sheet with S&P and maybe a little garlic powder makes REALLY healthy 'chips' too...so good!!

MarmiteToasty said...

I have only just discovered sweet potatoes, and use them now mashed on the top of shepherds pie.... and diced in stews... actually we use them LOADS now.....

Found this place via 'Hammer'.... need to scroll back and have a proper butchers.....

x

nanc said...

papa frank - they'll keep for MONTHS! i've been tempted to make a sweet potato salad much like a regular potato salad - when i do, will report back here.

z - i LOVE baked sweets with sour cream, chives, bacon, butter...garlic, ranch dressing mashed...i've heard the sweet potato chips are scrumptious - have yet to try them.

marmitetoasty - welcome! i never liked them as i always thought they were just baked in a dish with brown sugar and marshmallows - BLECH! it wasn't until we began experimenting that we came to appreciate them.

GROW SOME - THEY'RE SO EASY!

you can grow enough to fill a 2.5 gallon bucket by planting five or six fronds in one of those huge plastic rope handled tubs - be sure to drill holes in the bottom for aeration.

Eyes said...

Could you post a picture of the set up to get them to sprout? I'm just not picturing it. Is the water half way up the jar or half way up the spud?

Eyes said...

Does anybody have a recipe for home made baked taco chips? We ran out so I baked some out of tortillas.. But it would be nice to know how to start from scratch since it's something you run out of once in a while.

nanc said...

the tater is pierced halfway through and placed into a jar with water filled up which would put the water just shy of halfway up the tater!

pizza stones are great for baking tortilla chips - either corn or flour.

Unknown said...

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nanc said...

leon - we're not datesetters here or anywhere else for that matter - it is said that no one knows but the Father. now, shoo!

this is not a religious site - it's a site set up for moneysaving tips and recipes.

The Merry Widow said...

I think he just went down my blogroll...annoying, isn't it?
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw
All we can gather is that all prophecies have been fulfilled EXCEPT Ezekiel 38&39...

nanc said...

what about isaiah 17:1?

elmers brother said...

I LOVE sweet potatoes!

I've been told they have natural steroids in them and are good for bodybuilders and those who life weights.

Mrs. K's Lemonade Stand said...

That's great and I am going to give it a shot! Loved the post. :)

nanc said...

elbro - no wonder i've been getting a little plump - i haven't been working out after eating them! the fork to mouth movement just isn't cutting it...oh boo...

mrs. k - welcome - let us know how you fare - even if you don't eat sweets, they do make a lovely plant through the winter when you're needing some greenery.

none said...

Thanks! I'll try it. Sounds like fun.

MightyMom said...

yup, knew it, never tried it though....glad to know it really does work.