A large edible root, native to the tropical areas of the Americas, the sweet potato is, surprisingly, a member of the Morning Glory family. In the USA, the most widely available variety of sweet potatoes are of a pale yellow variety.

Many people mistakenly mistake darker skinned yams for sweet potatoes, and while it's true they can be used interchangeably in many recipes, they are not the same vegetable. Generally, sweet potatoes are higher in vitamins A and C, although yams tend to be sweeter and more moist.

You can cook and mash sweet potatoes, just as you would regular potatoes.

When buying, look for unblemished vegetables with a tight, unwrinkled skin. Store in a cool, dry place but do not refrigerate.