Sweet Potatoes are not related to regular potatoes. They are vine plants of the Morning Glory family. Sweet potato nutritional benefits decrease the risk of a weakened immune system when added to ones diet. Sweet Potato is a fall vegetable that is high in fiber and rich in minerals. It can be cut into cubes to be added into a stew, baked like a potato or simply sliced up for delicious fries. This vegetable is extremely versatile.
Sweet Potato Nutritional Benefits
Sweet Potatoes are rich in Beta-carotene (Vitamin A) and Vitamin C.
This smart vegetable purifies the blood
It has Potassium and Selenium and is high in Vitamin E
Very high in fiber, low in calories
Tips on eating Sweet Potato
Diabetic people can eat Sweet Potato as they have a low glycemic level,
Trying to loose weight? This vegetable makes a delicious alternative to potato and it keeps you regular because it's high in fiber.
Preparations for Cooking
Carefully wash sweet potato with soap and a brush before cutting or cooking in any number of ways -boiling, broiling, or baking for fantastic results.
Harvesting and Cooking
Sweet Potatoes are ready to be harvested when the vines start to turn yellow.
Dig out enough Sweet Potatoes and allow them to lie in the sun for 3 - 4 hours. This process is called curing. Wash them well, taking care to be gentle with the skins.
When you store them, keep them in a dry cool place, away from light.
Baked or boiled Sweet Potatoes are delicious, especially when you pick them fresh.
The young leaves are a useful form of spinach.
Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
3-4 sweet potatoes
Sunflower Oil
2-3 cloves Garlic, finely chopped (optional)
Small bunch fresh Parsley (2 tbs dried Parsley)
2-3 leaves fresh Mustard OR small bunch fresh Basil (2 tbs dried Basil)
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Soya sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper (optional)
Slice sweet potato into 1/2 inch wedges or rounds.
Rub them with oil.
Spread them out on a baking tray.
Bake them at 400°F for 35-45 minutes. (depends on heat of oven)
Prepare the herbs, by chopping them finely.
When the wedges are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Take the fries out of the oven; sprinkle the herb mixture over the fries.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper (optional).
Sprinkle with Soya sauce (optional) and savor the delicious flavor.
Growing Sweet Potatoes
They like a lot of compost added to the soil. They need little attention while they grow. Make sure you have enough space for them as they can spread far and wide. You will always have them in the garden for the Sweet Potato nutritional benefits. They will pop up again in the new season. The young leaves are a useful form of spinach.
"Have you ever tried to encapsulate yourself in a few words...I will do my best and hope you don't come out as dizzy as me. I am mother, artist, writer, organic gardener, permaculture consultant, yoga teacher, freelance journalist and editor... a student of the universe.
As a rampaging farmer and mother during the 90's, I got involved with environmental and permaculture projects in South Africa, I learned about rural life... spiders, cows, snakes and all. My 21st century focus is on communicating knowledge and sharing my art. Take a look at my book, Family Organic Garden, an easy and simple way to eating organic food straight from your own garden. "
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeannine_Davidoff
Monday, 6 September 2010
Saturday, 4 September 2010
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes
Planting Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato is a very healthy root vegetable which belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. Growing of sweet potatoes is a highly joyful and gratifying form of activity. If you wish to learn the basic facts about planting potatoes in your home gardens and backyards here is an informative piece of knowledge available to help you. It is best to gather and purchase all the materials needed beforehand to avoid any trouble or inconvenience while planting it. Below are certain steps to be followed for growing sweet potatoes in your gardens.
Things required
The things needed for growing sweet potatoes are easily available. Firstly and most importantly are the fresh potatoes. Then you need a spading fork, watering cans a shovel and sand. After obtaining all the things get ready to cultivate the plants.
Location and preparation
An ideal location for growing sweet potato plants in your house should be a spacious place. A bed of sand should be prepared followed by placing the sweet potatoes in the sand. The potato plants should be adequately covered with moist sand. Regular watering of the plants should be done the vegetables should be left standing in the sand bed for at least 4-6 months time.
Pre parathion and watering
The growing sprouts or slips should be removed from the vegetables and they should be allowed to stay in room temperature for 3-4 days. The sprouts should be planted in a soil mound measuring 12 inches in width and 12 inches in height. Enough space should be left in between the sprouts. Do not plant the root crops in sandy soil. Regular watering of the slips is necessary for the survival of the sprouts till the plants are established. As soon as the hairs are seen erupting from the roots, the vegetables should be cultivated. Keep removing the weeds from around the plants.
Harvesting
The potato crops can be harvested as soon as the vines cover the entire ground till the proximity of the slips. The vines should be thrown away at least a week before harvesting and the spading fork can be used to dig up the vegetables. Most of the root crops can be harvested after 4 months of planting.
Care and maintenance
The potatoes should not be planted in the frost as they cannot survive in cold weather. The sweet potatoes should be cleaned with a brush to remove the dirt of the soil and sand from which they have been cultivated. They should not be washed with water if they are to be stored as this would result in rotting of the vegetables. The sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool and dry place for 5 months after harvesting them.
Bennie Polkbelcher is an expert in the field of Home Improvement. She has written various articles on that How To Plant Sweet Potatoes. You can find more information on planting a vegetable garden here: How To Grow Sweet Potatoes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bennie_Polkbelcher
Sweet potato is a very healthy root vegetable which belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. Growing of sweet potatoes is a highly joyful and gratifying form of activity. If you wish to learn the basic facts about planting potatoes in your home gardens and backyards here is an informative piece of knowledge available to help you. It is best to gather and purchase all the materials needed beforehand to avoid any trouble or inconvenience while planting it. Below are certain steps to be followed for growing sweet potatoes in your gardens.
Things required
The things needed for growing sweet potatoes are easily available. Firstly and most importantly are the fresh potatoes. Then you need a spading fork, watering cans a shovel and sand. After obtaining all the things get ready to cultivate the plants.
Location and preparation
An ideal location for growing sweet potato plants in your house should be a spacious place. A bed of sand should be prepared followed by placing the sweet potatoes in the sand. The potato plants should be adequately covered with moist sand. Regular watering of the plants should be done the vegetables should be left standing in the sand bed for at least 4-6 months time.
Pre parathion and watering
The growing sprouts or slips should be removed from the vegetables and they should be allowed to stay in room temperature for 3-4 days. The sprouts should be planted in a soil mound measuring 12 inches in width and 12 inches in height. Enough space should be left in between the sprouts. Do not plant the root crops in sandy soil. Regular watering of the slips is necessary for the survival of the sprouts till the plants are established. As soon as the hairs are seen erupting from the roots, the vegetables should be cultivated. Keep removing the weeds from around the plants.
Harvesting
The potato crops can be harvested as soon as the vines cover the entire ground till the proximity of the slips. The vines should be thrown away at least a week before harvesting and the spading fork can be used to dig up the vegetables. Most of the root crops can be harvested after 4 months of planting.
Care and maintenance
The potatoes should not be planted in the frost as they cannot survive in cold weather. The sweet potatoes should be cleaned with a brush to remove the dirt of the soil and sand from which they have been cultivated. They should not be washed with water if they are to be stored as this would result in rotting of the vegetables. The sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool and dry place for 5 months after harvesting them.
Bennie Polkbelcher is an expert in the field of Home Improvement. She has written various articles on that How To Plant Sweet Potatoes. You can find more information on planting a vegetable garden here: How To Grow Sweet Potatoes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bennie_Polkbelcher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)