The common potato is one of the most versatile starches around, but sweet potatoes are delicious in desserts or just eaten plain — things regular potatoes can't do as well. Sweet potatoes can be yellow, orange, or purple with floral, nutty, or even malty flavors, but one of the best ways to prepare any variety is to steam them.
FAQs
Why You Should Be Steaming Sweet Potatoes? ›
Sweet potatoes can be yellow, orange, or purple with floral, nutty, or even malty flavors, but one of the best ways to prepare any variety is to steam them. Steaming sweet potatoes whole is not only easier than baking or frying, but it also delivers a deliciously light, moist, and pillowy-soft texture.
Is it good to steam sweet potatoes? ›Steaming was efficient and hands-off and didn't create a lot of messy pots and pans, and sweet potatoes cooked that way became moist and fluffy and could be easily pureed. (Roasted sweet potatoes might be great as an alt-fry, but they can also become dry and fibrous.)
What does steaming do to potatoes? ›Steaming is a process in which food is cooked at a higher temperature than it would normally cook in water. This results in faster cook times than boiling. The reason steaming potatoes is not preferred as a cooking method for mashed potatoes is less starch is released, resulting in gluey mashed potatoes.
Does boiling sweet potatoes lower the glycemic index? ›The bottom line
Boiled sweet potatoes affect blood sugar levels far less than other varieties, such as fried, roasted, or baked versions. Longer boiling times reduce the GI further. To support better blood sugar control, it's best to select healthy cooking methods and enjoy sweet potatoes in moderation.
Cut into eighths and place in a large pot. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes, and a pinch of salt. Boil sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a fork. It will take less time if you cut the sweet potatoes into smaller pieces.
What is the healthiest way to cook sweet potatoes? ›Boiling may actually retain most of the antioxidant power of sweet potatoes, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.
Why is it better to steam potatoes? ›Steaming prevents the spuds from falling apart, with many people finding steaming a less-invasive way to cook the perfect potato. Per Simply Recipes, steaming potatoes is better than boiling them, as it results in a more robust flavor because the spuds aren't absorbing too much water.
Are steamed potatoes healthier? ›Boiling and steaming potatoes, on the other hand, are less likely to lead to acrylamide formation. (You can decrease the formation of this compound by soaking raw potato slices in water for 15 to 30 minutes before high-heat cooking, says the FDA.)
Do potatoes lose nutrients when steamed? ›MYTH #2. MOST COOKING METHODS DESTROY THE NUTRIENTS IN POTATOES. While boiling potatoes does cause a small loss of water-soluble nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin B6, the white potato retains most, if not all, of its potassium and dietary fiber regardless of cooking method, such as baking, boiling, or frying.
What potato is the best for steaming? ›All-purpose potatoes
This medium starchy variety of potato includes Kennebec, Goldilocks, Elba, Onaway, purple potatoes, red potatoes, and all blue. These are best suitable for boiling, steaming, frying, and baking purpose (roasting and gratin), and to prepare stews and soups.
What is the healthiest way to cook potatoes? ›
And, when it comes to the healthiest way to cook potatoes for weight loss, Burgess and Barthel recommend steaming and air frying. These methods can help support weight loss because they require minimal amounts of oil when cooking. This can help preserve the nutrients within the potato.
Which potato is best for boiling or steaming? ›Waxy potatoes hold their shape well after cooking so are great for boiling, roasting or slicing. Use them to cook casseroles, soups or potato salads.