Although sweet potatoes may be part of the Thanksgiving tradition, these naturally sweet vegetables make ideal meals throughout the year; they are some of the most nutritious vegetables available. Although they are in season in November and December, sweet potatoes can be found in your local markets year-round.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The sweet potato has yellow or orange flesh, and its thin skin may either be white, yellow, orange, red or purple. There is often much confusion between sweet potatoes and yams; the moist-fleshed, orange-colored root vegetable that is often called a "yam" is actually a sweet potato.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Sweet potatoes contain unique root storage proteins that have been observed to have significant antioxidant capacities. This root vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">You can purée cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon or steam cubed sweet potatoes. Try making sweet potato pie, bread, muffins or pudding. Baked sweet potatoes are delicious even when served cold and therefore make a great food to pack in to-go lunches. - ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
