A: Pumpkin and winter squash (including acorn, butternut and hubbard) are in the same plant family, and their nutrient content is similar. As with sweet potatoes, the deep orange color of pumpkin and winter squash signals that they are very high in compounds called carotenoids.
What vegetables are in the same family as sweet potatoes?
Different plant families Sweet and regular potatoes are both considered root vegetables but are only distantly related. Sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae, and white potatoes are nightshades, or Solanaceae. The edible part of these plants are the tubers that grow on the roots.
What are sweet potatoes closely related to?
Sweet potatoes refer to a vine species (Ipomoea batatas) in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). This species is likely what is on your Thanksgiving dinner table. In the United States and Canada, sweet potatoes are often (confusingly) referred to as “yams.” But sweet potatoes are not even closely related to yams.
What other foods are in the sweet potato family?
Regular baking potatoes come from the Solanaceae family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and tomatillos. The sweet potato belongs to the Convolvulaceae family, whose other famous member is the Morning Glory flower. Yams are a tropical root native to Africa, and are members of the Dioscoreaceae family.
Can I substitute acorn squash for sweet potato?
Acorn squash makes a great substitute for sweet potatoes, but I would rate other vegetables like pumpkin and butternut squash over acorn squash because of the taste.
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