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Sweet potato சக்கரைவள்ளி கிழங்கு patate douce |

Sweet potato

சக்கரைவள்ளி கிழங்கு patate douce |

Tamil name | Sakkaravalli Kilangu சக்கரைவள்ளி கிழங்கு

Botanical name | Ipomoea batatas

Other name | Batata

There are two types of sweet potatoes grown in Auroville: one is round and dark pink in colour (resembling beetroot), while the other, which is more popular, is long and light pink. The long/light pink variety is preferred by most due to its ease of cooking and milder taste and texture.

Season

The best season for sweet potatoes:

The best season to plant sweet potatoes is September till October until the monsoon starts. Sweet potatoes take about six months to be ready. The planting is coordinated to ensure that the last crop is harvested by April end.

Grow & Harvest

How to grow in your garden or balcony:

Soil and sun:

Sweet potatoes require well-drained, loose soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 5.8 to 6.5). They also need full sun, so choose a location in your garden or balcony that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders, they need a lot of food to make good sized tubers. Prepare a rich soil with compost and keep adding compost to the plant every month during its growth.

Planting:

Sweet potatoes are grown from slips or vine cuttings. You can start your own slips by placing a mature sweet potato in water until it sprouts. Once you have slips, plant them in the prepared soil, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart.

Vine cuttings: choose healthy, mature sweet potato vines with several leaf nodes along their length. Look for vines that are free from disease and pest damage. Using scissors, cut around 12 inch (20-30 cm cm) sections of the vine, making sure each cutting has at least two or three leaf nodes. Leaf nodes are the points where leaves emerge from the stem. Strip off the leaves from the bottom 6 inches (15 cm) of each cutting, leaving the top leaves intact. This will expose the leaf nodes, which will develop roots when planted. Plant the prepared vine cuttings directly into the soil or in containers filled with well-draining potting mix. Insert each cutting into the soil so that two to three leaf nodes are buried below the surface. Water the cuttings thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around them and provide moisture. Over the following weeks, monitor the vine cuttings for signs of new growth, including the emergence of new leaves and the development of roots from the buried leaf nodes.

Watering:

Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during the initial stages of growth. Water them deeply once or twice a week, making sure the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering as the plants mature to avoid rotting the tubers. Watering should be stopped once the tubers are ready for harvest. They can stay well in the ground for several weeks after being ready if no watering is done.

Support:

Sweet potato vines can be trained to grow vertically on trellises or fences, which can save space in your garden or balcony and make harvesting easier. If the vines creep on the floor, they will put down roots wherever they touch the soil, making more tubers.

In a container:

If you’re growing sweet potatoes in containers on your balcony, choose a large container (at least 20 inches deep) with drainage holes. Fill the container with a well-draining, rich potting mix and plant one slip/cutting per container. Place the container in a sunny location and water regularly.

Harvest:

Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest 4 to 6 months after planting. You can start harvesting sweet potato leaves for consumption once they are large enough, but the tubers are typically harvested when the vines begin to yellow and die back. Use a garden fork to carefully dig up the tubers, being careful not to damage them. Watering the soil before harvesting helps to dig out the tubers easily without breaking them.

Insects that love sweet potatoes:

Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases that can affect sweet potatoes, such as sweet potato weevils, whiteflies, and fungal diseases. Practice good garden hygiene, including removing and destroying infected plant material, to help prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Perennial plant and ground cover:

Sweet potato is a great ground cover and can be used all year round to keep your soil covered under fruit trees or on beds that are not cultivated. It spreads very easily and can take over other plants so some care should be taken for this.

Store & Preserve

Best ways to store and preserve:

Cool place but NO fridge:

Sweet potatoes can be stored in a cool, dry place for several weeks to a few months. Do not store them in the refrigerator, as the cold temperature can cause them to develop a hard core and an off-flavor.

Freezing:

Cooked sweet potatoes can be mashed or pureed and frozen for later use. Spread the mashed sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags for long-term storage.

Pickling:

Sweet potato slices can be pickled in vinegar, salt, and spices for a tangy and flavorful preservation method.

Drying:

Sweet potatoes can be sliced thinly and dried to make sweet potato chips. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and dry them in a low oven or a food dehydrator until crisp.

Canning:

Sweet potatoes can be canned in a pressure canner for long-term storage. Follow proper canning procedures to ensure safety and preserve quality.

Prepare & Eat

How to prepare and eat them?

Taste and Texture:

Sweet potatoes have a sweet and earthy flavour with a creamy texture when cooked. They can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, baking, roasting, steaming, or frying. In AV, we have potatoes with orange (the round variety) or whitish (the long variety) flesh.

Savoury dishes:

Sweet Potato Curry: Cube sweet potatoes and simmer them in a flavorful curry sauce made with coconut milk, curry paste, onions, garlic, and spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Add other vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or spinach for extra texture and nutrients.

Sweet Potato Hash: Dice sweet potatoes and sauté them with onions, bell peppers, and your choice of protein such as bacon, sausage, or tofu. Season with herbs and spices like paprika, thyme, and black pepper for a tasty breakfast or brunch option.

Sweet Potato Soup: Blend cooked sweet potatoes with broth, onions, garlic, and spices to create a creamy and comforting soup. Garnish with toppings like crispy bacon, chives, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added flavor.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Bake sweet potatoes until tender, then slice them open and stuff them with a savory filling such as black beans, salsa, avocado, and cheese for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Sweet Potato Casserole: Layer sliced sweet potatoes with sautéed onions, garlic, and greens like kale or spinach in a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs or cheese and bake until bubbly and golden for a satisfying side dish.

Sweet Potato Salad: Roast sweet potatoes until caramelized and tender, then toss them with a tangy vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, and fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a flavorful and colorful salad.

Sweet Potato Tacos: Roast sweet potato cubes with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder until crispy, then use them as a filling for tacos along with your favorite toppings like salsa, avocado, shredded cabbage, and lime crema.

Sweet Potato Frittata: Combine diced sweet potatoes with beaten eggs, sautéed onions, bell peppers, and cheese in a skillet. Cook until set and golden on the bottom, then finish under the broiler for a hearty and nutritious breakfast or brunch option.

Sweet dishes:

Sweet Potato Pie: A classic dessert, sweet potato pie features a creamy filling made from mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, sugar, milk or cream, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The filling is poured into a pie crust and baked until set. Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Sweet Potato Casserole: A popular holiday dish, sweet potato casserole combines mashed sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and spices, topped with a crunchy pecan streusel or marshmallow topping. Bake until golden and bubbly for a decadent and comforting dessert.

Sweet Potato Cake: Similar to carrot cake, sweet potato cake is moist and flavorful, with grated sweet potatoes adding sweetness and moisture to the batter. Top with cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts for an irresistible treat.

Sweet Potato Pudding: Cooked sweet potatoes are pureed with milk, sugar, eggs, and spices, then baked until set to create a rich and creamy pudding. Serve warm or chilled with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Sweet Potato Cookies: Add mashed sweet potatoes to your favorite cookie dough recipe for a unique twist. You can also make sweet potato snickerdoodles by rolling the cookie dough balls in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking.

Sweet Potato Brownies: Substitute some of the flour in your brownie recipe with mashed sweet potatoes for a healthier and moister version of this classic dessert. Add chocolate chips or nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Sweet Potato Pancakes: Grated sweet potatoes can be incorporated into pancake batter for a delicious and nutritious breakfast or brunch option. Serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, or fruit compote for a sweet touch.

Sweet Potato Ice Cream: Blend cooked and mashed sweet potatoes into your favorite homemade ice cream base for a creamy and flavorful frozen treat. Add spices like cinnamon and vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Sweet Potato Bread: Similar to banana bread, sweet potato bread is moist and tender, with mashed sweet potatoes adding natural sweetness and moisture to the batter. Add nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.

Sweet Potato Tartlets: Use mini tart shells to make individual sweet potato tartlets filled with a creamy sweet potato filling. Top with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant dessert.

leaves are edible:

They can be used in salads or cooked dishes.

Health

Nutritional Values and Ayurvedic properties

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin C, and potassium. They also provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and are relatively low in calories.

In Ayurveda, sweet potatoes are considered to have a sweet and cooling nature, making them balancing Pitta and Vata doshas but potentially aggravating for Kapha when eaten in excess. They are often recommended as a nourishing and grounding food that supports digestion and overall vitality.