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    Vegan Recipes » What is Yellow Yam? (And How to Cook It)

    What is Yellow Yam? (And How to Cook It)

    Posted On October 16, 2020 By Mirlene Last updated February 9, 2021 6 Comments

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    Yellow Yams in gray round bowl Pinterest Pin

    Welcome to yellow yams 101! This underrated tuber veggie deserves a place on everyone’s table at least twice a month. Find out how to cut it, how to cook it, and more!

    • Cooked yellow yams in gray bowl

    Yellow yams, just like plantains are common in Haitian and Jamaican recipes food recipes, are eaten almost daily. 

    Yam vs Sweet Potato: What’s the Difference?

    There’s a difference with these two vegetables. You will most likely find these common tuber vegetables at the local grocery stores including the red sweet potatoes and the white sweet potatoes, similar the ones used in this pain patate recipe. They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even canned.  

    • sliced yams on cutting board

    Most often, people who eats yams, do not realize they are eating yams and mistaken it as sweet potatoes. However, yellow yams are native to African, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine. Here are some of the differences and what to look out for when purchasing these veggies.  

    • White or yellow yams have a bark-like skin.
    • Yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yellow yams in particular has a hard-woody texture, whereas, sweet potatoes or white potatoes has a softer texture when touched. 
    • Although they are root vegetables and comes from a flowering plant, their benefits are very different. 
    • Sweet potato has a reddish-brown tone. Yams are entirely different and they are compared to yucca in texture and flavor.

    Benefits

    • Sliced yams in gray bowl

    Yellow yams are starchy and dry. These tuber vegetables are easily found at the international and specialty markets.

    • The antioxidants found in yams may help reduce inflammation. They also contain potassium and manganese. 
    • They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

    They can be helpful in women’s health. In a 30-day study, 24 postmenopausal women switched from rice to eating yams in 2 out of 3 meals per day. By switching, their blood levels of estrone and estradiol increased by 26 percent.

    How To Boil Yellow Yams

    These starchy tuber vegetables are easy to cook. The full ingredients with exact measurements are found in the recipe card. In the meantime, below is a quick guide on how to boil yellow yams. 

    • sliced cooked yams in gray bowl
    • Remove the skin. Use a paring knife to peel the skin of the yam. Then cut into medium size. 
    • Bring the water to boil. Add the yam pieces. And cook for 30 minutes on medium high heat or until fork through. 
    • Remove the yams from the boiling water. Serve hot with okra stew, protein sauce or salmon. 

    HAITIAN FOOD TO TRY

    Air Fryer Fried Plantains

    Plantain Balls

    Haitian Griot

    Haitian Lalo

    More Basic Vegetable Recipes

    If you loved learning about yellow yams and how to cook it, try one of these basic vegetable recipes next:

    Spaghetti squash

    Sautéed bok choy

    Instant pot cauliflower 

    Soup joumou (Haitian squash soup)

    By the way, it warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from our site.

    We’d especially would love to know if you have tried this recipe, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!

    sliced cooked yams in gray bowl

    Boiled Yellow Yams

    Savory Thoughts
    Find out how to cut, cook / boil, and the benefits of yellow yams! This underrated tuber veggie deserves a place at the dinner table. This is a staple vegetable in Haitian and Jamaican cuisine.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Course Main Dish, Side Dish
    Cuisine Caribbean, Haitian, Jamaican
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 401 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Lbs. Yellow yam
    • 1 Tsp. salt (optional)
    • Water for boiling

    Instructions
     

    • Boil a pot of water. Remove the skin. Use a paring knife to peel the skin of the yam. Then cut into medium size.
      Add the yam pieces. And cook for 30 minutes on medium high heat or until fork through.
      boiled tuber vegetable in hot water in pot
    • Add the yam pieces. And cook for 30 minutes on medium high heat or until fork through. Remove the yams from the boiling water. Serve hot.
      Sliced yams in gray bowl

    Notes

    1. Add about a teaspoon of salt to the water to season the yam. 
    2. It is recommended to have a large bowl of water aside to place the pieces of yams. This will prevent the yams from red or dark after it is peeled. 
    3. Best to serve hot as a side. 
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4PeopleCalories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 95gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSodium: 31mgPotassium: 2776mgFiber: 14gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 17IUVitamin C: 97mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 24mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eff

      March 22, 2021 at 6:43 pm

      My first time boiling yellow yam they seem a little more bitter than what I get at the Jamaican restaurant what did I do wrong?

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        March 23, 2021 at 10:48 pm

        Hi Eff,
        You did not do anything wrong. You are right, the yellow yam will be a little more bitter. They are also easily confused with the white Yam (similar skin tone and texture), the white yam is not as bitter. You did not do anything wrong.

        Reply
        • Genevieve

          January 17, 2023 at 2:26 am

          Please use gloves and wash with lemon juice or vinegar if you are prone to allergies (it might make you itch).

          Reply
          • Mirlene

            February 20, 2023 at 8:56 am

            Yes. Thank you for mentioning it, Genevieve.

            Reply
    2. Kwaku

      November 25, 2020 at 7:00 am

      5 stars
      Very helpful! Wasn’t sure how long to boil yellow yam for.
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        November 25, 2020 at 11:12 am

        Thank you very much, Kwaku.

        Reply

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