Above: Yam specimen What you know as yams are most likely not actually yams. In fact, your “classic” potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are all in different plant families.
Are sweet potato and yams the same?
That sweet, orange-colored root vegetable that you love so dearly is actually a sweetpotato. Yes, all so-called “yams” are in fact sweetpotatoes. Most people think that long, red-skinned sweetpotatoes are yams, but they really are just one of many varieties of sweetpotatoes.
Do potatoes and yams cook the same?
Often, the copper skinned sweet potato is referred to as yam, or sweet potato yam, and these are a firmer version of sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes with the lighter skin and yellow insides are softer. They cook very differently.
Can yams be substituted for potatoes?
A yam or sweet potato can be used in any recipe that calls for white potatoes, though they will slightly alter the flavor and texture of the dish. You can even eat yams and sweet potatoes as dessert to satisfy a sweet tooth if you add a bit of cinnamon and butter.
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