April 26, 2024

Hello Foodie Friends

How about a nice veggie snack that doesn't feel like veggies? Try these deliciously crispy BAKED SWEET POTATO SHOESTRING FRIES on the side of your next lunch or even for a snack. Sweet potato chips and fries are something that I see popping up in gourmet departments everywhere and go with just about anything, try it out as a snack by itself too. Any way you slice it they're good and get my vote as a nice side for a healthy meal....yep they're not just for holidays anymore!

Enjoy!
Marzee

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch strips
(about 1-1/2 pounds)
Cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thick. Remove from heat; let cool. Combine juice mixture and potatoes in a large bowl; toss well. Remove potatoes from bowl; discard juice mixture. Arrange potato strips in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until edges are crisp.

YIELD: 4 Servings

MARZEE's CORNER

ON SWEET POTATOES:

Yes, there is a health benefit! A dynamite source of Beta Carotene, Potassium and surprisingly an excellent source of Vitamin C. If we held a beta-carotene contest, sweet potatoes would just about tie carrots for first place.

Though these are available year-round, peak season for freshly harvested sweet potatoes is mid-fall to late winter. There are many varieties of sweet potato, but I'll stick to the moist, orange/purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The orange/purple varieties have a thicker, darker skin, with bright orange flesh. It is much sweeter and moister than others. Whichever variety you choose, look for potatoes that are small/ medium in size to medium/large, about 3/4 pound to 1 1/4 pound in size, with smooth, unbruised skin.

Sweet potatoes may look hardy, they actually are quite fragile and spoil easily. Any cut or bruise on the surface quickly spreads and ruins the whole potato. Do not refrigerate them. It speeds up the deterioration. An ideal temperature is at 55 to 60 degrees.