The sweet potato (Latin Ipomoea batatas) belongs to the genus Ipomoea, the Bindweed family. Until now, there is no consensus about the homeland of this unique tropical alien. Mexico, Brazil, Peru or Colombia - it is no longer so important to know exactly the "pedigree" of the sweet potato. More important is its beneficial properties.
Having traveled across the West Indies, Polynesia, Spain, New Zealand, the Philippines, through the Far East, this useful root vegetable has reached the Russian table. Many are trying to replace traditional potatoes with them.
Both feeds and heals
There are different varieties of sweet potato - sweet, semi-sweet and savory. Unsweetened ones are used in cooking like potatoes: they are baked, fried, boiled. The semi-sweet ones can even be eaten raw. And sweet varieties are used as fruits. Jam, wine and alcohol are made from tubers of sweet sweet potatoes.
Since the sweet potato tubers are high in starch and contain sugar, they are called "sweet potatoes." Also, this root vegetable is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins B, C, PP, A, ascorbic acid, carotene, calcium, phosphorus, iron, contains thiamine, riboflavin.
Compared to potatoes
Compared to potatoes, sweet potatoes are much more valuable for a healthy diet. The starch obtained from sweet potatoes is used for medicinal purposes as an emollient and coating agent for gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, sweet potato is a source of soft and delicate fiber, therefore it is recommended for people suffering from digestive disorders, and especially for those who cannot tolerate fiber from other root crops.
By the content of carbohydrates and calcium, sweet potatoes are several times higher than potatoes. The taste in boiled and fried form resembles sweetish, as if slightly frozen potatoes. The mealy-sweet taste of sweet potato roots goes well with sour foods and hot spices.
Varieties
Boiled sweet potato tubers are similar to sugar beets. Pink raw ones taste like chestnut or nut, while boiled ones are like pumpkin. By the way, sweet potatoes are cooked a little faster than potatoes. And baked sweet potato is especially tasty and healthy. It is very good to eat with pickles and vegetables pickled in vinegar.
According to the water content in tubers, sweet potatoes are divided into two main groups - varieties that become crumbly when cooked, and varieties that have a more watery consistency.
In Russia, the most popular of the varieties:
- Nancy Hall (pumpkin);
- VIR-85, white pulp of tubers;
- "Pobeda-100", pink peel and orange pulp with a banana-nut flavor;
- caramel, sweet tubers with brown skin and white flesh.
By the way, it is not difficult to grow sweet potatoes in the country! For a small area, you only need a few tubers.
