Garnet Yams
Inventory, 40 lbs : 44.45
This item was last sold on : 03/27/24
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.
Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
Bayside Landing | San Diego CA | 858-270-9200 |
Botanica (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Belmont Park Entertainment | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
Louisiana Purchase | San Diego CA | 619-255-8278 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Portside Pier (Miguels) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
The Guild Bar- Banquet | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Hilton Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-5200 x4234 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Harbor Breakfast | San Diego CA | 619-888-6586 |
La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
Coya Peruvian Secret | Del Mar CA | 619-295-3172 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Sabor a Vida Café & Deli | Vista CA | 760-536-3331 |
Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
Monarch School | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
Sushi Ota 2021 | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
Valley View Casino & Hotel (Black&Blue) | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
Alejandra's Cocina (Bar) | Carlsbad CA | 858-500-5075 |
Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Meritage at Callaway, Inc. | Temecula CA | 951-587-8889 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Qero | Encinitas CA | Chris 702-334-8845 |
Pina (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 562-371-5919 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Garnet Yams. One is easiest, three is harder.