is a nutritious food that can be processed into many delicious dishes. However, if not cooked properly, sweet potatoes will lose many nutrients and the delicious taste will not be as good as before. Let’s take a look at the 9 common mistakes when cooking and eating sweet potatoes that many people often make!
1 Buying potatoes with cuts or bruises
You should not buy potatoes with cuts or missing a root. This indicates that the potatoes are damaged. Choose potatoes that are still intact, not dented or cracked.
2 Storing potatoes in the refrigerator
Many people think that storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator will keep them fresh for a long time. However, this is completely wrong. When you store potatoes in the refrigerator, they will become hard, even when cooked until tender.
Instead, you should store sweet potatoes in a dry, cool place to keep them sweet and delicious.
3 Not cleaning potatoes before processing
Sweet potatoes are grown in the ground, so they may have a lot of dirt, sand, and bacteria. Before peeling, you should scrub the potatoes with water and a brush. This will help reduce the amount of bacteria clinging to the potatoes when peeling.
4 Not eating sweet potato skins
According to some studies, sweet potato skins contain a lot of fiber and nutrients that are good for health. So, if you want to eat sweet potato skins, make sure to wash them thoroughly and cook them properly!
5 Cutting sweet potatoes too early before cooking
Cutting sweet potatoes too early before cooking will make them dry and turn dark. So, if you want to cut the potatoes in advance, soak them in water while waiting to cook.
6 Boiling sweet potatoes to make cakes
If you choose to boil sweet potatoes until they are soft to make cakes, the end result will be less sweet and less fluffy compared to steaming and baking. Moreover, boiling also removes some of the nutrients naturally present in sweet potatoes.
7 Not poking holes in the skin of sweet potatoes before baking
When baking sweet potatoes, if you don’t poke holes, they may explode in the oven. So, use a fork to poke a few holes on the potato to allow steam to escape more easily.
8 Eating raw sweet potatoes
Eating raw sweet potatoes can cause indigestion and nausea because the digestive system cannot process raw starch. Remember to cook sweet potatoes thoroughly before eating!
Eating raw sweet potatoes
9 Cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave
The microwave can cook sweet potatoes, but they will not cook evenly. So, you should cook sweet potatoes in the microwave for about 5 – 6 minutes, then turn them over and continue cooking to ensure even cooking.
Above are the 9 common mistakes when cooking and eating sweet potatoes that many people often make. Hope this article has provided you with valuable information.