Making candied yams is a tasty way to add sweetness to your meals. They have a yummy mix of sweet and savory flavors that everyone loves.
Cooking candied yams on the stove is easy and needs just a few ingredients. All you need are some yams, brown sugar, butter, and spices. It’s a great option for busy nights when you want something yummy without spending too much time cooking.
The best thing about candied yams is that you can serve them with lots of different meals. They go well with things like roasted turkey, baked ham, or grilled chicken.
Yams are good for you because they are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. And even though we are adding sugar (which is really not the healthiest ingredients to have), candied yams are still low in calories and fat.
In the end, making candied yams is a great way to make your meals more special and bring people together.
Use candied yams as a side dish, use them as filling in butter tarts or pies; add them to salads for some interesting sweet flavor; or you can even use candied yams as a desert by itself. Whatever your heart desires!
Yams Vs Sweet Potatoes
Are they are the same thing?
People often use yams and sweet potatoes interchangeably. And many people assume that they are essentially the same vegetable. However, they are actually quite different in how they look, taste, and feel.
First, they belong to different plant families – yams are from the Dioscoreaceae family, while sweet potatoes are from the Convolvulaceae family.
Next, their looks are different too. Yams usually have rough, dark skin and can be white, purple, or reddish inside. They’re long and big. Sweet potatoes, though, have smooth skin that can be beige, orange, red, or purple. Inside, they’re usually orange or yellow.
Now, let’s talk about taste. Yams have a starchy, dry taste with a bit of earthiness. Sweet potatoes are moist and sweet, with a creamy texture.
Finally, yams are drier and starchier when cooked, while sweet potatoes are soft and creamy.
Also, yams are more common in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, while sweet potatoes are grown and eaten in many places like North America, Europe, and Asia.
So when you go shopping for ingredients for this recipe, please, pay attention to pick up YAMS, and not sweet potatoes.
Candied Yams On Stovetop Recipe
To make candied yams on the stove top, you’ll need some simple ingredients and equipment.
Ingredients for Stove Top Candied Yams:
- Yams (about 3-4 medium-sized ones)
- Brown sugar (1 cup)
- Butter (1/4 cup)
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
- Nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon)
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Water (1/2 cup)
Equipment Required:
- Large pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Preparing the Yams
Before we start cooking, we need to prepare the yams.
- Rinse the yams under cold water to get rid of any dirt or debris.
- Use a vegetable peeler or a knife to peel the yams.
- Once the yams are peeled, you can slice or dice them into pieces. It’s up to you!
Cooking the Yams
Now it’s time to cook the yams on the stove.
- Put the yam pieces in a big pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the yams cook until they’re soft when you poke them with a fork. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the yams are cooked, pour them into a colander to drain off the water. We want the yams to be nice and dry before we add the sweet sauce.
Making the Candied Sauce
While the yams are cooking, we can make the yummy sauce for our candied yams.
- In the same pot you used for the yams, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla extract, and water.
- Stir everything together until the brown sugar is all melted and mixed in with the other ingredients.
- Keep stirring the sauce until it starts to bubble. Then turn down the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up a bit.
Combining Yams and Sauce
Now comes the fun part – putting everything together!
- Carefully add the cooked yams to the pot with the sauce. Make sure they’re all coated in the sauce.
- Use a spoon to gently stir everything together so the yams get covered in the sweet sauce.
- Turn the heat down to low and let the yams simmer in the sauce for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the flavors all mix together and makes the yams extra tasty.
- While the yams are simmering, the sauce will start to soak into them and make them taste even more delicious.
Your stove top candied yams are ready to serve!
How To Store Candied Yams
Storing candied yams is simple.
Cool them down to room temperature. Then you can transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing to keep them fresh.
Then, place the container or bag in the refrigerator.
Candied yams can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them.
To freeze candied yams, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen yams to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Frozen candied yams can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.
———-
