Garnet Yams

Estimated Inventory, 40 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 03/23/25

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Description/Taste

Garnet yams are medium to large in size and are slender, ovate, and cylindrical in shape, tapering at the ends. The rough skin is a dusty brown-maroon with some brown spots scattered across the surface. The flesh is orange-gold and is firm, dense, and moist. When cooked, Garnet yams are starchy and moister than other yam varieties, and its flavor is sweet with a savory earthiness. In addition to the tubers, the leaves of the Garnet yam plant are edible as well, offering both nutrients and a flavor similar to that of spinach.

Seasons/Availability

Garnet yams are available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.

Current Facts

Garnet yams, botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas, are a root vegetable of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. It is not a true yam, but rather a sweet potato that lost its identity to an American labeling system that forced the naming of yellow-orange fleshed sweet potatoes to include yam in their identification. Today the USDA requires that all yams also be labeled as sweet potatoes when sold. Garnet yams earned their name from the color of their skin, and the opulent maroon skin tone is similar in color to a garnet stone.

Nutritional Value

Garnet yams are an excellent source of dietary fiber and offer a healthy dose of vitamin C, B6, iron, copper, and potassium.

Applications

Garnet yams are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, roasting, frying, steaming, mashing, and pureeing. The high sugar and starch content of Garnet yams makes them suitable for a wide range of both sweet and savory applications. They can be roasted or baked whole and served as is or with complimentary ingredients such as cinnamon, cilantro, red bell pepper, cumin, chili pepper, feta cheese, Greek yogurt, and poultry. Garnet yams can be steamed and then mashed or pureed and used to make sauces, gnocchi, soups, and curries. They can also be used as a filling for both sweet and savory pies and empanadas. Slice into rounds or sticks and bake or fry to make French fries. Add cubed and roasted or sautéed Garnet yam to breakfast hash, curry, risotto, pasta, or atop pizza. Complimentary flavors include sage, thyme, lime, persimmon, onion, chipotle chili, black beans, pecans, honey, maple syrup, parmesan cheese, and bacon. Refrigeration should be avoided when storing Garnet yams as it will cause them to spoil faster. Garnet yams will keep up to four weeks when stored in a cool and dry location away from direct sunlight and heat.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

The Garnet yam was mislabeled in the mid-20th century when orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were first introduced to the market. The original sweet potato cultivated in the United States was the dry, white-fleshed type. To avoid confusion, the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were marketed as yams to distinguish them from the white-fleshed variety Americans had come to associate with the name sweet potato. Real yams are native to the Caribbean and are difficult to find in the United States. The Garnet variety is one of the most common sweet potatoes cultivated for American markets. Along with the beauregard and jewel yams, these three varieties account for about ninety percent of the sweet potatoes produced in the United States.

Geography/History

What we refer to as yams in the United States are actually sweet potatoes which are native to the western tropical hemisphere. Garnet yams were discovered in the United States roughly in the mid-20th century. Today they can be found in farmers markets and grocers across the United States, but care must be taken because similar varieties are often labeled as Garnet yams and look similar.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
Copper Kings	San Marcos CA	323-810-1662
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	760-759-1843
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
Wrench and Rodent	Oceanside CA	760-840-1976
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
The Seabird Resort	Oceanside CA	951-704-9703
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
The Harvest Honey	San Marcos CA	616-914-0124
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2401
Harney Sushi	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	619-944-1631
Harney Sushi Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-967-1820
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	619-764-5108
Cocina de Barrio Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-840-1129
Flora Cafe	Bonita CA	619-339-6604
Louisiana Purchase	San Diego CA	619-255-8278
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863

the other 80...

Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District	El Cajon CA	619-644-7585
Miguel's 4S Ranch	San Diego CA	858-924-9200
The Crack Shack-San Diego	San Diego CA	619-795-3299
Plant Based Meals	San Diego CA	858-255-0590
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa	Costa Mesa CA	951-808-7790
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Barbarella La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-7373
Living Coast Discovery Center	Chula Vista CA	619-409-5900
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Berry Good Food Foundation	La Jolla CA	619-666-1633
University Club	San Diego CA	619-234-5200
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Portside Pier (Miguels)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Olive Tree Marketplace	San Diego CA	619-224-0443
La Dona	San Diego CA	858-352-8134
The Crack Shack-Encinitas	Encinitas CA	877-230-1871
KI's	Encinitas CA	760-586-8289
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Beach Plum Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-688-8682
Garbatella Osteria Bar	Chula Vista CA	619-651-1185
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Bishop School	San Diego CA	858-459-4021
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Pendry SD (Pendry Banquets)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Culinary Kitchen Catering and Events	Coronado CA	619-798-8477
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Pastry)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Bayside Landing	San Diego CA	858-270-9200
Deeply Nourished	La Jolla CA	808-489-7366
Mesa Agricola	Carlsbad CA	707-758-6650
Miguel's Old Town	San Diego CA	619-298-9840
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
Secret Sister	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Miguel's Cocina Coronado	Coronado CA	619-437-4237
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Brigantine La Mesa	La Mesa CA	619-465-1935
Fox Point Farms	Encinitas CA	619-892-0553
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Hotel Republic San Diego	San Diego CA	951-756-9357
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
The Crack Shack PB	San Diego CA	619-450-7978
Cocina de Barrio NP	San Diego CA	858-349-2313
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	424-278-8626
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Cocina de Barrio Point Loma	San Diego CA	858-349-2313
Viewpoint Brewing Co.	Del Mar CA	858-205-9835
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Royal Polaris Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Belmont Park Draft	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Pendry SD (Provisional)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Coya Peruvian Secret	Del Mar CA	619-295-3172
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck)	San Diego CA	858-268-1030
Gravity Heights Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-384-5993

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Garnet Yams. One

is easiest, three is harder.

The Healthy Maven		Mushroom Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
Joy of Kosher		Creamy Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Cardamom and Quince Jelly
Celebrating Sweets		Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow & Pecan Streusel
Vanilla and Bean		Black Eyed Pea Sweet Potato Cornbread Pot Pie
The Real Food Dietitians		Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
Kitchen Sanctuary		Hidden Veggie Tomato Soup
Girl and the Kitchen		Vegan Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet As Honey		Sweet Potato Tots
A Few Shortcuts		Apple & Sweet Potato Mash Topper
Lazy Cat Kitchen		Onigirazu Sushi Sandwich

the other 89...

The Pretty Bee		Roasted Sweet Potato and Bean Quesadillas
Scaling Back		Smoky Vegan Sweet Potato Quesadilla
Half Baked Harvest		Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet 'n' Savory Bacon Pecans
Living Sweet Moments		Crunchy Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Eat Yourself Skinny		Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash
Feel Good Foodie		Sweet Potato Waffles
Delicious Meets Healthy		Sweet Potato Hash with Sausage and Eggs
Pip & Ebby		Healthy Burgers with Sweet Potato Buns
Fooduzzi		Sweet Potato Pancakes with Peanut Butter Maple Syrup
The Real Food Dietitians		Grain-free Sweet Potato Brownies
Whole and Heavenly Oven		Cream of Sweet Potato Apple Soup
Nom Nom Paleo		Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Cilantro & Citronella		Vegan Sushi Bowls with Yam Tempura
Eat The Gains		Whole30 Breakfast Salad with Poached Eggs
My Natural Family		Sweet Potato Brownies
Bunny's Warm Oven		Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake
Paleo Gluten Free Eats		Skinny Fruitless Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie
Tornadough Allie		Sweet Potato Bourbon Mini Bundt Cakes
Wife Mama Foodie		Roasted Chickpea & Sweet Potato Tacos
Happy Healthy Mama		Cold Busting Soup
Lazy Cat Kitchen		Miso Glazed Sweet Potato Sushi
Averie Cooks		Cheese, Black Beans, and Corn Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Crema
My Fussy Eater		Sweet Potato Frittata Slices
The Foodie Physician		Sweet Potato Caprese Sliders
The Honour System		Roasted Vegetable Frittata
Turnip the Oven		Lemon Meringue Sweet Potatoes
The Pretty Bee		Roasted Sweet Potato and Bean Quesadillas
Cookin' Canuck		Sweet Potato Bison Shepherd's Pie
Baby Foode		Sweet Potato Waffles
Passion for Savings		Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
The Magical Slow Cooker		Slow Cooker Sweet Poatoes, Green Beans, and Bacon
The Foodie Physician		Sweet Potato Pancakes
Happy Healthy Mama		Baked Eggs and Spinach in Sweet Potato Boats
Savory Lotus		Spiced Sweet Potato Apple Fruit Leather
Radiate Food Vibes		Vegetarian Sweet Potato Nachos with Cheddar-Jalapeño Sauce
The Endless Meal		Chickpea and Yam Chili
Eating Rules		Roasted Garnet Yam and Bacon Frittata
Emily Kyle Nutrition		Sweet Ginger & Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
Ambitious Kitchen		Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins
40 Aprons		Whole30 Breakfast Sandwiches
Carlsbad Cravings		Herb Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Gruyere
The Healthy Maven		Sweet Potato Egg Boats with Avocado Crema and Bacon
The Lean Green Bean		Guacamole Waffle Bits
Ambitious Kitchen		Pesto Turkey Burger Sliders on Sweet Potato Buns
Farmgirl Gourmet		Goat Cheese Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
Simply Quinoa		Crockpot Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Chili
Keepin' it Kind		Pomegranate Orange Sweet Potato Bake
Healthy Happy Life		Baked Vegan Sweet Potatoes with Maple, Cinnamon, & Citrus
Pinch of Yum		Sweet Potato Gnocchi w/ Broccoli Rabe & Sage Garlic Butter Sauce
Simple Roots Wellness		Sweet Potato Gnocci
Running In A Skirt		Crock Pot Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
Chocolate Covered Katie		Crispy Bake Sweet Potato Chips
Divas Can Cook		Southern Baked Candied Yams
Taste and Tell		Sweet Potato Tots with Creamy Ketchup
Oat and Sesame		Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Peanut Sauce
Delish Knowledge		Sweet Potato Hummus Quesadilla
The Lean Green Bean		Almond & Sweet Potato Flatbreads
The Endless Meal		Detox Sweet Potato Turmeric Soup with Salty Almond Croutons
Half Baked Harvest		Maple Cream Sweet Potato Soup with Cheddar Cinnamon Sugar Twist
Minimalist Baker		Vegan Thanksgiving Wraps
The Produce Mom		Sweet Potato Toast
Eat Well 101		Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Running In A Skirt		Harvest Farro with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Miss Allie's Kitchen		Sweet Potato Pasta Bake
Chew Out Loud		Sweet Potato Cornbread
Roti & Rice		Sweet Potato Balls
The Gracious Pantry		Clean Eating Sweet Potato Butter
Running In A Skirt		Mom's Famous Sweet Potato Casserole
Kitchen Sanctuary		Cheesy Roasted Vegetable Soup
Little Bits Of		Apple Cinnamon Sweet Potat-"oats"
Cincy Shopper		Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Averie Cooks		Cinnamon and Spice Sweet Potato Bread
Euphoric Vegan		Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Wallflower Kitchen		Smokey Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
Mama Mandy		Sweet Potato Souffle
Domestic Gothess		Vegetarian Cottage Pie With Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Mash
Wife Mama Foodie		Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Meringue
Minimalist Baker		Immune Booster Orange Smoothie
Primavera Kitchen		Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Lemons & Anchovies		Yam and Apple Casserole with Citrus Sauce
Grits and Pinecones		Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks
Oh My Veggies		Thai Sweet Potato Nachos
Sage Trifle		Old Fashioned Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Connoisseurus Veg		Sweet Potato Sushi
Delish Knowledge		Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Happy Healthy Mama		Sweet Potato Butter
Courntey Sweets		Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burrito
Earthy Feast		Sweet Potato Sushi with Finger Limes