Did you know many consider sweet potatoes to be one of the most nutritious vegetables we eat? They are high in numerous vitamins and minerals, specifically antioxidants Vitamin A and C.  These nutrients are best absorbed with a little healthy fat.  You can read more about the nutritional content of sweet potatoes here.

Now is the time to stock up on sweet potatoes.  They are normally $.98/lb at Wal-Mart but they are currently $.28 per pound at Wal-Mart and $.25 per pound at Meijer.  In the past, Wal-Mart has kept that pricing through the holidays, so it’s not too late to get in on the deal.  I like to buy large quantities, cook them and freeze them for later.  In fact, I just picked up about 22 pounds for $6.

Shopping tip: take your own bag!

If you are planning to buy in bulk, make sure you take a large sturdy bag.  You don’t want to use those wimpy produce bags.  Trust me.  They will tear.  If you forget your bag, grab some paper or plastic bags from the checkout lane.  They are much more sturdy.

How to freeze sweet potatoes

1. When you get home, wash them and pop them in the oven. Line the bottom shelf with aluminium foil to catch any drippings from the sweet potatoes.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  You will thank me later.
2. Bake the sweet potatoes at 375 for about an hour or until they are tender.  Turn off the oven and let them cool a couple hours.
3. When they are cool enough to handle, slit the potatoes lengthwise with a knife.  Peel the skin off the flesh.  Dump the flesh in a mixing bowl or a blender.
4. As the bowl fills, whip or blend for a minute.  Transfer to baggies.  I fill quart size baggies for us to use as a regular side at home and a couple of gallon size baggies for casseroles to take to holiday pot-lucks.
5. Squeeze the air out and seal the bags.  Label them and lay them flat in the freezer.

Eat your sweet potatoes

You can use the defrosted potatoes in your favorite sweet potato casserole, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos or Enchiladas with Mole Sauce or eat them just as they are.

My husband and I like them simply sprinkled with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.  The kids prefer a dab of butter or coconut oil and a little sweetener such as sucanat, honey or maple syrup in theirs.

You can also use the sweet potatoes as a substitute for pumpkin.

You may also enjoy Two Ingredient Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Glaze and Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte.