Roasted Okinawa Purple Sweet Potato

I haven't been able to find these purple sweet potatoes from Okinawa on a consistent basis, but they are indeed worth hunting down.  They are sweet, earthy and pretty much taste like a yam.  They obviously look incredible on the plate - I only wish I could experiment with them more often.  I've only roasted them - wish I could try them mashed, in a multi-layered and colored gratin, etc.

Here's an informative look at the Okinawa purple sweet potato.

Comments

[Patrick Toal]

I order the Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes for a Hawaiian Luau I host every year for Senior Citizens in North Carolina. They are easy to order, but you have to order a case in bulk. I usually make a deal with a local grower who uses them as well. They are still relatively inexpensive and have a great flavor. The URL is listed below. It is a little time consuming ordering them because I am not a retailer they deal with on a regualar basis, but they have shipped to individuals like me before and it can be done. It just takes a little more time and a few phone calls. The website is listed below. Patrick Toal

http://www.dorevaproduce.com/index.asp

[sung]

There's a great fruit store in teaneck, nj called Julio's Fruit Boutique. They carry the Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes. They really are delicious!

www.juliosfruit.com

[Kerri]

Yes, the purple sweet potato in a multi-layered au gratin is delicious...

I work Hawaiian farmers to distribute their produce and the best way to get the purple sweet potato in your area is to ask your local grocer to carry it. You can also visit www.hawaiifreshproduce.com and order through the web site.

If you know of any events where we can highlight our purple sweet potato and introduce it to the public, feel free to e-mail me at kerri@cardinco.com. Thanks!

[Julian Choe]

You can find Okinawa sweet potatos in any Korean supermarket. I pay $1.59-1.99/lb. The best sweet potato. I like it better than chocolate.

[Laura]

Steam them, mash them and add a can of coconut milk. Delicious! Also, Hawaiians like to make a Okinawa potato/haupia (coconut pudding) pie.

[Devany]

Aloha,

We have been gleaning the Okinawan Sweet Potato Fields here in Hawaii after the harvesters come through. We give most of them to the food bank and keep some for ourselves. I have a blog about it here:
http://myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com/2009/01/recipes-from-ono-sunday.html

Devany
Hilo, Hawaii