It is that time of year when everything turns brown, orange and yellow. The leaves fall from the trees, pumpkin patches are out and there are hay rides in the country. Families are busy getting ready for Halloween with decorations going up in my neighborhood already. I hear kids walking to the bus stop talking about what or who they are going to be this year. My daughter wants to be a female Freddy Kruger. I am not sure I am going to let her go that way or not yet. Grocery shopping is even done in the same brown, orange and yellow color scheme if you are a seasonal shopper like me. Pumpkins, squash and fall vegetables are in abundance. The end of the year is also fast approaching with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner.
Sweet potatoes are sometimes just a side dish at Thanksgiving but they should be a regular part of your everyday meal planning. Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and blood sugar-regulating nutrients. They are an unsurpassed source of vitamin a in the form of beta-carotene. It is also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. The healthiest ways to eat them are steamed, baked or boiled. Why not try them as baked fries?
4 or 5 sweet potatoes (depends on size)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 Tablespoon sugar
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Gather up 4 or 5 sweet potatoes and preheat the oven to 450.
Peel all the potatoes.
I am now hungry!
Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise to stabilize
Slice them up as thick as you would like them
Lay the slices down and slice the next side to square them up
Keep cutting….you could alternately cut each piece into wedges instead if you like
Put the sweet potatoes into a large bowl, add the oil and toss well
Sprinkle with the sugar and spices then toss again to combine
Spread the sweet potatoes out into a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for a total of 30 to 40 minutes tossing half way through baking
Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want them more crunchy you can bake them on a wire rack.
These fries are really good!