Sweet Potato
What is it?
Sweet potatoes are sweet, starchy, tuberous roots of the Ipomoea batatas plant, which belongs to the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. Sweet potatoes have a thin skin which is copper in colour. The flesh ranges in colour from white, yellow, orange, to deep purple. Once cooked, the flesh turns soft and buttery. The plant is perennial and grows as a trailing vine which can reach up to six metres in length. Sweet potato leaves are lobed and heart-shaped, and typically appear in shades of green.
What other names does it have?
Botanical Name: Ipomoea batatas
Regional Names: Shakarkand (Hindi, Urdu); Ratale (Marathi), Ratalu (Gujarati), Seegenasu (Kannada), Kandamula (Odia), Mangra (Manipuri)
When is it in season?
Where is it found?
Sweet potatoes thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. They require a warm and frost-free environment with plenty of sunlight, preferring well-drained sandy or loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. Temperatures between 21°C and 26°C are optimal for growth; cooler nights promote the formation of roots. While sweet potatoes are drought-resistant, for optimal yield they require annual rainfall between 750 and 1000 millimetres.
What is its history/cultural significance?
Sweet potatoes are native to Central and South America. They were introduced to the Indian subcontinent through Portuguese traders in the 16th century. While the sweet potato plant originated in the Americas, recent research suggests that the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) is present in India. Scientists have discovered a 57 million-year-old fossil of Ipomoea genus leaves in Meghalaya, which points to the sweet potato lineage having originated in the East Gondwana landmass.
Sweet potatoes are a staple during fasting periods, as they are valued for their ability to satiate hunger during long periods of dietary restrictions. They are staple foods for indigenous communities in India, especially in the states of Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand and West Bengal, as they provide food security and nutrition to communities.
How can you use it?
Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be roasted, boiled, microwaved or air-fried. To use them whole, wash the skin thoroughly, prick them with a fork and cook until they soften. To cook pieces of sweet potato, cut the tuber into the desired size, toss them with oil and seasoning, and bake until they are soft, crispy, and caramelised.
What states can I find it in?
What parts of the plant are edible?
Root, leaves, shoots, flowers
Is it nutritious?
As per this study, sweet potatoes are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are essential for heart health, muscle function, and electrolyte balance.
How do you store it?
Raw sweet potatoes must be stored unwashed in a cool, dark, and dry place with good ventilation; they can then remain fresh for up to 2 weeks. Cooked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. To freeze sweet potatoes for longer-term storage, mash or slice them after cooking, let them cool completely, and store them in freezer-safe bags, where they will keep well for up to a year.
Stories:
Sweet potato: a farmer’s delight by Bapi Gorai | Transform Rural India
This article explores the introduction of biofortified sweet potatoes in the Ramgarh district of Jharkhand.
Recipes:
Sweet Potato Fry Recipe by Priya Srinivasan
Shakarkand bharta by Nisha
‘Know Your Desi Ingredients’ is an ever-expanding repository of knowledge for ingredients that are native to the Indian subcontinent and adapted into the mainstream culinary narratives of people, places, and cultures across India. If you would like to share more information about the write-ups featured here, send us an email at connect@thelocavore.in with your inputs and any verified sources we should look into.
