National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

Ever wondered about the history of the sweet potato? Looking for some recipe inspiration? Read on for more!

By Liz Dommasch, County Archivist

In this day in age, it is not surprising that we can literally celebrate anything and it’s definitely fascinating to delve into some of these unusual and quirky so called national holidays we see popping up on social media and various websites. For example, did you know that February 22 is affectionately known as “National Cook a Sweet Potato Day”?

The origin and domestication of the sweet potato can be traced back to Central or South America over 5,000 years ago. It comes in a variety of sizes and colours, including pale to bright orange, white and purple, and is an excellent source of vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C and Magnesium.

Sweet potatoes can be prepared in a variety of forms and how you cook your sweet potato is completely up to you. However, if by chance you are in in need of some inspiration or looking to try something new, I’ve included a few recipes from our cookbook collection:

Sweet Potatoes, Southern Style – Bake six medium-sized sweet potatoes, remove from oven, cut in halves lengthwise, and scoop out inside, mash, add two tablespoons butter, and cream to moisten. Season with salt and Sherry wine. Refill skins and bake five minutes in a hot oven. – The Boston Cooking- School Cookbook, 1928.

Sweet Potato Croquettes – Bake the potatoes, remove skins and mash for each 2 cups sweet potatoes use 2 tablespoons butter, ¾ teaspoon celery ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon celery salt, ¼ teaspoon onion juice*, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, 1 egg or 2 yolks, mix all ingredients and when cold form into croquettes any desired shape; beat an egg and add to it 1 tablespoon water; dip the croquettes in the egg roll them in fine bread crumbs, and fry in deep fat or oil. – Mrs. Albert Schultz, Woodstock Cook Book, 1917.

*Note: I had never heard of cooking with onion juice, but upon doing some research I discovered that not only is it used in cooking, but historically it’s been used to help cure everything from the whooping cough to hair loss, was rubbed on the muscles of Greek athletes and gladiators before entering the arena, and was even used to treat gunshot wounds during the American Civil War!

Onion juice can be made my either juicing, blending or grating a peeled onion and then squeezing the juice out of it. It can be stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks in a sealed container.

Candied Sweet Potatoes – Wash and cook six medium-sized sweet potatoes in boiling salted water to cover. Drain, peel, and cut in halves, lengthwise, arrange in butter baking dish, sprinkling each layer with brown sugar, using three-fourths cup in all. Pour over one-half cup melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Cook in a slow oven two hours. – The Boston Cooking-School Cookbook, 1928.

Whether you have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even dessert, the sweet potato is one delicious root vegetable! For those that are looking to pair a beverage with their meal, February 22 has also been declared as National Margarita Day.

Happy Eating!

Image Credit: Sweet Potato from John Gerard’s Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes (1597) https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/files/2010/11/gerard0001.jpg*

*If you are wishing to learn more about the history of the Sweet Potato, The United States Library of Congress has a great blog post that delves not only into the history of its cultivation but the emergence of candied yams and even it’s pairing with marshmallows!