Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Cantaloupe Melon
The cantaloupe is defined by two elements: its roughly netted stone and green colored skin and its aromatic orange-coral colored flesh. When perfectly ripe, the flesh is juicy, unctuous and sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Sweet Potatoes are available year round.
Current Facts
The sweet potato is only distantly related to the actual potato. It is the edible root of a traveling vine and a member of the Convolvulaceae family along with other herbaceous perennial vines, trees and shrubs. It is the storage organ of the plant, storing nutrients and carbohydrates which sustain its above ground shoots, vines, foliage and flowers. It is considered one of the most important root vegetables cultivated for food.
Description/Taste
The sweet potato, regardless of flesh color, maintains its appearance in shape in all varieties. Its roughly ovate and cylindric with tapered ends. Its flesh can vary from white to yellow to orange. The lighter the flesh, the less sweet its flavor will be. The deep orange fleshed sweet potato varieties are the sweetest, thus often confused with yams. Sweet potatoes have a moist and less starchy flesh than yams, giving them more culinary versitality.
Nutritional Value
Sweet potatoes are nutritionally high in beta carotene and Vitamin A, rich with carbohydrates and if eaten in large quantities can provide sufficient daily protein requirements. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes are naturally higher in Vitamin C than lighter fleshed varieties.
Applications
Sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, rather they should be stored loose in a cool, dry place avoid from sunlight.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States, the terms "sweet potato" and "yam" are often used interchangeably, though they are neither members of the same family nor do they have similar characteristics in skin and flesh flavor or texture.
Geography/History
Sweet potatoes are of New World origin, specifically Peru and Ecuador. They have been naturalized throughout tropical and temperate regions from East to West. They do not tolerate frost, drought or excessive rain. Once harvested, they are often cured. This is a a common method of practice that allows the sweet potatoes to dry on land for a few hours, then storing @ 85 Degrees fahrenheit for up to two weeks. Curing improves flavor, nutrition and storage quality, allowing the root vegetable to keep up to six months in cool dry storage.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sweet Potatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Sweet Potatoes are available year round.
Current Facts
The sweet potato is only distantly related to the actual potato. It is the edible root of a traveling vine and a member of the Convolvulaceae family along with other herbaceous perennial vines, trees and shrubs. It is the storage organ of the plant, storing nutrients and carbohydrates which sustain its above ground shoots, vines, foliage and flowers. It is considered one of the most important root vegetables cultivated for food.
Description/Taste
The sweet potato, regardless of flesh color, maintains its appearance in shape in all varieties. Its roughly ovate and cylindric with tapered ends. Its flesh can vary from white to yellow to orange. The lighter the flesh, the less sweet its flavor will be. The deep orange fleshed sweet potato varieties are the sweetest, thus often confused with yams. Sweet potatoes have a moist and less starchy flesh than yams, giving them more culinary versitality.
Nutritional Value
Sweet potatoes are nutritionally high in beta carotene and Vitamin A, rich with carbohydrates and if eaten in large quantities can provide sufficient daily protein requirements. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes are naturally higher in Vitamin C than lighter fleshed varieties.
Applications
Sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, rather they should be stored loose in a cool, dry place avoid from sunlight.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States, the terms "sweet potato" and "yam" are often used interchangeably, though they are neither members of the same family nor do they have similar characteristics in skin and flesh flavor or texture.
Geography/History
Sweet potatoes are of New World origin, specifically Peru and Ecuador. They have been naturalized throughout tropical and temperate regions from East to West. They do not tolerate frost, drought or excessive rain. Once harvested, they are often cured. This is a a common method of practice that allows the sweet potatoes to dry on land for a few hours, then storing @ 85 Degrees fahrenheit for up to two weeks. Curing improves flavor, nutrition and storage quality, allowing the root vegetable to keep up to six months in cool dry storage.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| Saffron | San Diego CA | 619-574-7737 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| Parioli Italian Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-755-2525 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Ritual Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-283-1618 |
| Red Light District | San Diego CA | 619-255-2800 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Azul La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9677 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Solace & the Moonlight Lounge | Encinitas CA | 760-753-2433 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sweet Potatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
