Sweet potatoes are about as good as it gets when it comes to the tuber family. These are also called yams by some people, although officially they are not yams. It doesn’t really matter what you call them; what matters is that you eat them — and this easy recipe showcases them beautifully. Their bright orange flesh is sweet and comforting and when roasted with butter and maple syrup pretty much say “fall!” or, more specifically, “Thanksgiving!”
Roasted Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
I have a hard time resisting this when it comes out of the oven and have been known to nibble away an embarrassing amount before it reaches the table. The sweetness of the maple syrup paired with the touch of orange work wonders with the sweet potatoes—which are pretty great in and of themselves!
Serves 4
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 medium-size sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large, oven-safe sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat and when bubbling, add the sweet potatoes, tossing to coat with butter. Add the syrup and toss gently until well mixed.
Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for about 30 minutes, tossing the potatoes in the pan once during roasting. They should be tender when done.
Just before serving, toss the potatoes with the orange zest and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.