Boiling sweet potatoes is a common cooking method, but it can be time-consuming and tricky to get right. The traditional method involves placing the sweet potatoes in a pot of water and boiling them for a specific duration, depending on their size and quantity. This technique requires constant monitoring to prevent overcooking or burning, which can result in a loss of their natural sweetness.
However, there is a super-quick Japanese method that delivers perfectly cooked sweet potatoes while significantly reducing preparation time.
Selecting and Preparing Sweet Potatoes
You can use either soft or honey-tasting sweet potatoes for this method. If you prefer soft sweet potatoes, choose unblemished tubers with no cracks, scratches, or black spots. Look for evenly sized potatoes that feel heavy for their size, and cut a small piece from the end of one to check for freshness; fresh potatoes will ooze sap.
For honey-tasting sweet potatoes, select tubers with purple-tinged skin and visible honey streaks on the outside. The drier these potatoes are, the sweeter they will be, and they will release more honey when baked.
Wash the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt or sand. Store any unused potatoes in a cool, dry place.
Cut off the pointed ends of the sweet potatoes, and use a skewer or a fork to prick the skin all over. If you don’t have a skewer or fork, you can use a knife to gently score the skin. This step helps distribute heat evenly, ensuring the potatoes cook uniformly.
Japanese Super-Quick Sweet Potato Boiling Method
Wrap each sweet potato tightly in a paper towel to retain moisture and prevent drying out during cooking. Then, wrap it again in heat-resistant plastic wrap, which you can identify by the information on the product packaging.
If plastic wrap is unavailable, using only paper towels is acceptable, but dampen them slightly to provide extra moisture.
Place the wrapped sweet potatoes on a ceramic plate and microwave them at a high temperature for 5-10 minutes, depending on their size and your microwave’s power. Typically, medium-sized sweet potatoes take around 5-6 minutes, while larger ones may require 8-10 minutes.
Remove the sweet potatoes from the microwave and test their doneness by piercing them with a skewer. If the skewer goes through easily, they are ready. If they are still firm, return them to the microwave for a few more minutes.
This simple cooking method is a convenient option when you’re short on time.
