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Get ready to celebrate Cook a Sweet Potato Day on Feb. 22! Sweet potatoes have been around for centuries and have been enjoyed by many cultures. Not only are sweet potatoes delicious, but they're also incredibly nutritious and can be used in so many different dishes. From mashed sweet potatoes to roasted sweet potatoes, there are so many ways you can enjoy this tasty vegetable.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>8000 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Sweet Potatoes</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sweet potatoes were first cultivated in Central and South America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1492</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>European Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christopher Columbus discovers sweet potatoes on his voyage to the New World.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Spreading Across the Globe</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sweet potatoes are transported by European explorers to Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Arrival in North America</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sweet potatoes start to become a staple in the southern part of North America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Sweet Potato Capital</div><div class='timeline-text'>Mississippi declares Vardaman as the Sweet Potato Capital and hosts an annual Sweet Potato Festival.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>New Culinary Trends</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sweet potatoes become a popular health food globally, leading to innovative dishes and cooking techniques.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Bake a sweet potato</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>The simplest way to enjoy a sweet potato is to bake it! Preheat oven to 425 degrees, wash the sweet potatoes and prick with a fork. Place potatoes on a baking sheet, and cook for 45 minutes or until tender.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Roast sweet potatoes</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes, toss with olive oil and seasonings. Spread on a baking sheet, bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make French fries</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Cut the sweet potatoes into thin strips and fry in hot oil for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Prepare mashed sweet potatoes</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Boil peeled sweet potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, mash with butter and milk, season with salt and pepper to taste.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a sweet potato pie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Mix cooked mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, spices, eggs, and butter. Pour into prepared pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until golden brown.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Sweet potatoes are nutritious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Sweet potatoes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that can boost your energy levels and help support a healthy immune system. They also contain a powerful antioxidant called alpha-carotene, which can help fight off disease and protect against certain types of cancer.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Sweet potatoes are versatile</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The possibilities for cooking with sweet potatoes are endless! You can mash them, bake them, fry them, or even make chips - all of which can be spiced up with various herbs and spices. Sweet potatoes are also a great source of fiber which makes them an ideal option for side dishes or as a hearty snack.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Cooking sweet potatoes is easy</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>It's so easy to enjoy the delicious flavor of sweet potatoes! All you need is butter, salt, pepper and some other favorite seasonings. Place the cut potatoes in an oven at 350° F for 25 minutes or until they're crisp and golden brown on the outside - or microwave them for 10 minutes if you're short on time.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sweet Potatoes are not Potatoes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Contrary to their name, sweet potatoes are not actually potatoes – they're part of the morning glory family, while regular potatoes belong to the nightshade family.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sweet Potatoes are High in Fiber and Vitamin A</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sweet potatoes are super nutritious, packed with fiber, vitamin A, and many other beneficial nutrients.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are Over 400 Varieties of Sweet Potatoes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sweet potatoes come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, including purple, yellow, and orange.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sweet Potatoes Can be Used in a Variety of Recipes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes including casseroles, pies, fries, soups and even desserts.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>North Carolina is the Largest Producer of Sweet Potatoes</h3><p class='facts-content'>The state of North Carolina in the United States is the largest producer of sweet potatoes, accounting for nearly half of the national supply.</p></div></div>
Cook a Sweet Potato Day is celebrated on February 22 every year. In 2024 Cook a Sweet Potato Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Feb 22
Wednesday
2024
Feb 22
Thursday
2025
Feb 22
Saturday
2026
Feb 22
Sunday
2027
Feb 22
Monday
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