BENSON, N.C., Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- "Pumpkin shortage" might be the most devastating phrase hosts of holiday parties will hear all year. But fear not, another orange vegetable is ready to step up and relieve us of all our shortage sorrow. Sweet potatoes, packed with nutrition and big on flavor, are a great substitute.
The truth is pumpkin by itself isn't so packed full of flavor. Instead it's the familiar fall spices – nutmeg and cinnamon – that make pumpkin-filled concoctions so deliriously delicious. Swapping the ingredient which gives the recipe its orangey goodness won't minimize flavor, but it can certainly maximize health benefits.
"Sweet potatoes bring a lot to the table as far as nutrition. Not only do these spuds offer more fiber and protein than a pumpkin, they dominate in the Vitamin C and A departments too," said Kelly McIver, Executive Director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission. Ranked as the number one sweet potato producing state in the U.S., North Carolina is the largest grower of sweet potatoes, accounting for nearly half of U.S. production.
Many consumers are surprised to learn about the ease and deliciousness of substituting fresh sweet potatoes for canned or pureed pumpkin. They're also pleased to find an unprocessed, wholesome alternative for their favorite fall recipes. Here are three foolproof methods for transforming your sweet potatoes into the fluffy, orange puree that can be substituted for pumpkin:
Regardless of the method you choose, cool, peel and remove the skin from the cooked sweet potato. Puree until smooth in a blender or food processor. Depending on the size of your sweet potato, you may need more than one to get the equivalent puree for a recipe. If you have a few tablespoons extra, try this twist on another seasonal favorite.
One of the most celebrated pumpkin-fueled obsessions of the season is the Pumpkin Spiced Latte. During this time of shortage, sweet potatoes are a wholesome substitute, bringing unmatched flavor when compared to the syrupy, artificial flavors found in many coffee shops serving Pumpkin Spiced Latte.
SWEET POTATO SPICED LATTE
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Discover more yummy recipes – ahem, Fluffy Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie – for the holiday season and every time of year at www.ncsweetpotatoes.com.
About North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Inc. is a nonprofit corporation made up of over 400 sweet potato growers along with the packers, processors and business associates that support them. The sole purpose of the commission is to increase sweet potato consumption through education, promotional activities, research and honorable horticultural practices among its producers. Since 1971, North Carolina has ranked as the No. 1 sweet potato producing state in the U.S. Its hot, moist climate and rich, fertile soil are ideal for cultivating sweet potatoes, averaging at nearly 50 percent of the U.S. supply.
Contact Information:
Julie Stas
PadillaCRT
646-218-6007
[email protected]
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151110/285784
SOURCE North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
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