The Savoury Side: Spiced Sweet Potato Patties
Transform mashed sweet potatoes into flavourful patties perfect for a snack or light meal. Combine boiled and mashed sweet potatoes with fragrant spices like crushed ginger, green chillies, ground cumin, and coriander. A bit of cornstarch can help bind
the mixture. Shape them into round patties and shallow-fry until they are golden brown and beautifully caramelised on both sides. These spicy-sweet patties pair wonderfully with a simple ketchup or a fresh mint chutney.
The Savoury Side: Hearty Sweet Potato Curry
The natural sweetness of shakarkandi provides a perfect balance to the heat and complexity of Indian spices in a curry. For a simple yet deeply flavourful dish, start by sautéing aromatics like ginger, garlic, and onions. Add cubed sweet potatoes, chickpeas for protein, and a can of coconut milk to create a creamy base. Season with curry powder or a blend of turmeric, cumin, and red chilli powder, and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender. Serve hot with fluffy rice or naan for a truly comforting meal.
The Savoury Side: Tangy Shakarkandi Chaat
A beloved street-food snack, shakarkandi chaat is an explosion of flavour. The key is to roast sweet potato cubes until they are tender but still hold their shape. While still warm, toss them in a bowl with roasted peanuts, pomegranate arils, and a mix of vibrant chutneys like green cilantro and sweet tamarind. A generous sprinkle of chaat masala and a squeeze of fresh lime juice are essential to give the dish its signature tangy, spicy, and sweet profile.
The Savoury Side: Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
Take sweet potato fries to the next level by loading them with delicious toppings. Start by baking or frying your fries until they're crisp. Then, get creative. You can top them with anything from a simple cheese sauce and crispy bacon to a hearty serving of chilli. For a fresher take, consider toppings like diced avocado, sour cream, and sliced green onions. It's a fun, customisable dish that works as a crowd-pleasing appetiser or a main course.
The Sweet Side: Rich and Creamy Sweet Potato Halwa
Sweet potato halwa is a decadent and surprisingly easy dessert. The process involves cooking boiled, peeled, and mashed sweet potatoes in ghee until they become fragrant. Sugar is then added and stirred until it dissolves completely. Many recipes also incorporate milk, which is cooked down until the mixture thickens. Finally, the halwa is flavoured with cardamom powder and garnished with chopped nuts like almonds or cashews for a delightful texture and aroma.
The Sweet Side: Surprising Sweet Potato Kheer
For a unique twist on a classic Indian dessert, try making kheer with sweet potato. Some variations combine roasted and mashed sweet potato with seviyaan (vermicelli noodles), which are toasted in ghee before being simmered in milk. The mixture is gently cooked with sweeteners like brown sugar and aromatic spices such as cardamom and cinnamon until it reaches a creamy consistency. It can be served warm or chilled and garnished with roasted nuts and raisins for a festive touch.
