Let me teach you how to prepare my favorite simple side: yellow yams! They are soft, hearty, and versatile. Though they are quite affordable, I particularly love them because they are so easy to prepare.
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!
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.
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 come 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
Yellow yams are starchy and dry. These tuber vegetables are easily found at 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 eating 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.
- 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
More Basic Vegetable Recipes
If you loved learning about yellow yams and how to cook it, try one of these basic vegetable recipes next:
Soup joumou (Haitian squash soup)
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Boiled Yellow Yams
Equipment
- Large Pot
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.
- 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.
Notes
- Add about a teaspoon of salt to the water to season the yam.
- 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.
- Best to serve hot as a side.
mioara says
I want to know if I can to make creme soup with name root?Isaw it in cartagena ,Caraibe
Mirlene says
Yes, you can use it to make creamy soup.
Eff says
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?
Mirlene says
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.
Genevieve says
Please use gloves and wash with lemon juice or vinegar if you are prone to allergies (it might make you itch).
Mirlene says
Yes. Thank you for mentioning it, Genevieve.
Kwaku says
Very helpful! Wasn’t sure how long to boil yellow yam for.
Thanks!
Mirlene says
Thank you very much, Kwaku.