The greens are edible raw, but are a bit strong in flavor. Try sautéing them in the place of spinach, adding them to stir-fries, or chopping them finely and adding them to salads. The sweet potato dates back to prehistoric times, likely originating in the tropical climates of Peru and Ecuador.
Are all parts of sweet potato edible?
The young shoots, the leaves and the tubers are all edible raw. A trypsin inhibitor occurs in the shoots, leaves, stems and tubers of sweet potatoes and some references claim that because of this we should not eat them raw. Trypsin is an enzyme that helps with protein digestion.
Can humans eat sweet potato leaves?
No matter what you call them – sweet potato leaves, camote tops, or kamote tops – the vines are rich and flavorful, although like most greens they may be somewhat bitter. The leaves are prepared much like spinach or turnip greens.
What is sweet potato leaves good for?
Sweetpotato leaves are cooked as a vegetable in many parts of the world. They are rich in vitamin B, ßcarotene, iron, calcium, zinc and protein, and the crop is more tolerant of diseases, pests and high moisture than many other leafy vegetables grown in the tropics.
What does sweet potato leaves taste like?
Sweet potato leaves have a slight bitterness when raw, but when cooked the leaves take on a mild, delicately sweet flavor with a taste similar to spinach and water spinach.
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