5 Ways to Have Winter-Favourite Sweet Potato

Winter is here and it’s once again time to indulge into everything warm and comforting. One such food that is not only packed with nutrients but also is a versatile choice to keep yourself cosy during winters is sweet potato. The cultivation of sweet potato dates back to 750 BC and is considered as one of the oldest foods known to man. Talking about nutrition, it is a valuable source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts into vitamin-A when consumed and further helps to strengthen the eyesight and the immune system. They are also low in calories, potentially good in B6 vitamins and potassium which makes them an amazing food for your heart too. Keep reading on to know easy-peasy and healthy ways to enjoy this superfood this winter.

• Baked with the herbs and spices

Let’s accept it; baked potatoes are a good pick-me-up on any day. Baked sweet potatoes are free of deep frying and oil and hence these are high in nutritional profile and twice more rich in fibre than potatoes. Consumption of baked sweet potatoes can also help in easing out constipation. All that you need to do is cut them, and place in a baking tray along with some garlic, herbs, salt and coconut/olive oil, bake and enjoy.

• Soup

Winters feel incomplete without having added soups in the day. Sweet potato soup is going to be your next favourite dish. To make sweet potatoes soup, you need: olive oil, carrots, onion, ginger & garlic, black pepper & salt, sweet potato, vegetable stock, dried red chilli flakes. After you organize the ingredients, all you have to do is heat in the oil in a saucepan, add chopped onion and carrot and cook until softened. Stir in ginger, garlic and chilli flakes for 2-3 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and vegetable stock and bring it to a boil and then simmer the flame until the sweet potato gets tender. Once done, blend it and enjoy.

• Sweet Potato Chaat

Sweet potato being a tuber vegetable provides energy to the body and aids in easy digestion. To make sweet potato chaat, you need sweet potatoes, pomegranate seeds, sendha namak, cumin powder, fresh coriander, mint and coriander chutney and olive oil. Now, start by boiling the sweet potatoes and then dice them. On a baking tray, place the diced sweet potato and grease them with some oil. Now, start making mint and coriander chutney by adding some mint, coriander, curd, green chillies, some lemon juice, and sendha namak. Once the sweet potatoes are crispy and brown, toss them with the chutney, cumin powder, fresh coriander, and pomegranate seeds.

• Broccoli and Avocado Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This makes for a filling meal and also for a hearty side dish. It is creamy, flavourful, high in dietary fibre, and heart-healthy fats. To make this dish, you need Large sweet potato, (broccoli florets, steamed) and (avocado, sliced). To make this recipe, wash the sweet potato and prick it in a few places, bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until soft. Once done, cut the sweet potato from the centre and stuff in the steamed broccoli and sliced avocado and its ready. Add this simple and healthy dish to your evening snack to ease up your winter cooking.

• Quinoa, sweet potato salad with feta

This salad is going to be the game-changer in your eating healthy routine. It’s easy, filling and quick to make too. All you have to do is- bake the sweet potato by adding some oil and salt. On the other hand, cook the quinoa as per package instructions and dry roast the sunflower seeds. Chop avocado, and finely dice the onion. For the dressing, add olive oil, lemon juice, and honey to a small bowl. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine all the ingredients in a jar and add feta at the last.

Over to you
Try these 5 delicious ways to include sweet potato in your diet this winter to reap phenomenal health benefits that they have to offer.