Yams are not sweet potatoes as most people have come to believe although they can be prepared similarly. Yams are delicious and are packed with fiber, iron, potassium, beta-carotene as well as vitamins An and C. Yams are highly versatile as well as easy to prepare as they can be baked, mashed as well as microwaved. The word yams is derived from an African word "nyami" that was used to describe this sweet potato like plant. The yam has orange flesh and inmost countries they require the word yam to be present on all packaging of this food since it is confused with sweet potatoes.
Yams' baking is one of the greatest sources of nutrients especially for those people who are health conscious. Yams were only eaten during the holidays in the traditional days but today they can be eaten all year round in several countries in the world. For the people who are lacking yellow vegetables, yam gives them an opportunity to enhance their nutrition. Yams are native to South and Central America, Africa as well as Asia. They are widely grown in warm climates and this is found in some parts of Africa, Southern Asia as well as the South Pacific. There are several ways that you can use to prepare yams as is the case with potatoes.
Yams can be smashed in order to feed small babies or they can be used as breads, salads, casseroles as well as main dishes. A majority of people who cook do not know how to cook a yam and this will help them. Before deciding whether to cook or freeze the yams you should first wash them and then boil or bake them until they have become slightly soft. If they are boiled makes sure to drain them immediately they are ready and this will avoid them from getting overdone or being mushy. Also allow them to cool completely before placing them in freezing bags.
When baking yams you need to keep in mind several things which will include baking large batches as this will save you a lot of time as well as energy. Canned yams are easier to use in some recipes although not in all. When baking yams to serve with meals you may want to bake them in their skin and if you would like to add other ingredients it is better to bake them when they are peeled and cut into smaller pieces and this will not necessarily reduce the baking time. There a couple of things that you will need when learning how to bake yams and this will include a knife, butter, olive oil, low fat milk, potato masher, nutmeg, cinnamon, casserole dish as well as nonstick spray.
The most straightforward way of preparing yams is by baking them although you will sill need to follow a few steps. The first one will be to wash them with a vegetable brush and also prick them with a knife or sharp fork. You should also know that yams can explode if they do not have a steam outlet. The next step will be to preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for about 40 minutes. After the skin will have a wrinkly appearance and then you can slice the yam open and add a bit of butter or a healthy spread as well as a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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This article touched the basics of the topic. I have 2 more resources related to the above. They are how to cook yams and how to bake yams . Do consider reading them.
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