Do You Peel Sweet Potatoes? Everything You Need To Know

If you’re anything like me, you might have asked the question, “Do you peel sweet potatoes?” While I enjoy the starchy, sweet taste of potatoes, I really just don’t like the hard texture of the skin.

Sweet potatoes are quite versatile because you can either mash them to make bread, or add them to savory dishes. They’re also loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

Even the skin is rich in fiber , that’s why I have tried to discover whether it is advisable to keep the skin or not.

Just continue reading if you would like to know what I have discovered in my research.

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Types of Sweet Potatoes That You May Not Peel

hasselback-red-potato

Via dianadishes.wordpress.com

You may not know it, but much of the healing potentials of sweet potatoes lie on the skin. According to the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission, sweet potatoes become a great source of dietary fiber when consumed with the skin.

In fact, one unpeeled sweet potato has more fiber than a bowl of oatmeal.

Here are the types of sweet potatoes that you can leave unpeeled.

The skin of sweet potatoes is also a good source of potassium and a quercetin. Potassium helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease, while quercetin is a flavonol that boosts the immune system.

  • Small and smooth sweet potatoes

Small-sweet-potatoes

Via 17apart.com

You can opt not to peel the sweet potatoes if they’re small and smooth. This kind of potatoes are often the new potatoes of the season, so eating them with the skin might be healthier.

You can tell that the sweet potatoes are fresh from the current season if their skin comes off by themselves when you wash them.

  • Organic sweet potatoes

organic-sweet-potatoes

If you bought the organically grown ones, then it is okay to leave the skin when cooking. Organic sweet potatoes are not treated with harmful pesticides that might put your health at risk.

  • Sweet potatoes for roasting

roasted-sweet-potatoes

Via seriouseats.com

If you’re planning to roast some sweet potatoes in a grill, leaving their skin intact may be a practical solution. This can help protect the flesh from the grill’s high heat. Others also prefer the crunchier texture of the skin when you leave them when roasting.

Types of Sweet Potatoes That You Should Peel

The flesh of sweet potatoes has that scrumptious sweet taste that anyone can surely love. Usually, they have an orange color, but other varieties are found to have other colors, like red, white, and violet. They’re a great source of beta-carotene, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

As tempting as it is to leave the skin of sweet potatoes when preparing them, it is both safer and tastier if you remove them. Here are the types of potatoes that you should peel:

  • Dirty and blemished sweet potatoes

Blemished-Potatoes

Via wikihow.com

If you have bought some sweet potatoes that are covered in dirt and blemishes, then peeling them is definitely the safer choice. Even if the skin contains high fiber, eating it with dirt will bring more harm than good.

  • Conventionally grown sweet potatoes

conventionally-sweet-potatoes

Via thesurvivalgardener.com

If you have bought some sweet potatoes that are not organically grown, then it will be a lot safer if you peel the skin away. You may not know it, but the sweet potatoes may be treated with pesticides. To ensure the health of your family, peeling the skin away is your best choice.

  • Sweet potatoes for mashing

mashed-sweet-potatoes

Via seriouseats.com

When you plan to create some mashed sweet potatoes, peeling the skin will be a lot tastier. Personally, I remove the skin because they’re a bit rough and they don’t mash well.

  • Sweet potatoes for soups, stews, and savory dishes
Enlightened_Miso_Bowl-sweet-tomatoes

Via vegkitchen.com

If you like a smoother texture to your dishes, then removing the skin will be a great decision. Given that the sweet potatoes are cleaned and free from blemishes, then leaving the skin is also okay. It all boils down to personal preference.

How to Peel Sweet Potatoes

If you have decided to peel the sweet potatoes, you may watch this video.

You can also follow these 3 easy steps.

You should use the sweet potatoes for your recipes right away. If you have to leave them for a while, leave them soaking in a bowl of water to prevent oxidation.

  1. Wash the sweet potatoes with water. If you find some dirt and grime, you may use a brush to scrub them away.
  2. Get a sweet potato and a peeler. Push the blade firmly into the exterior of the sweet potato. Remove the outer layer of skin until there’s no skin left.
  3. Cut to desired pieces.

Give Peeling of Sweet Potatoes a Try!

Peeling sweet potatoes are a matter of choice. If you like to get the nutritional value of the skin, then you may leave them alone. However, if you don’t like the texture of the skin in your dishes, then you may peel them away.

If you have something that you like to share, post them in the comments box below. You may also share this new information on your social media to help your followers.

Have your time check out how to steam potatoes quickly!

References

  • www.livestrong.com/article/534200-what-nutrients-are-in-the-skins-of-sweet-potatoes/
  • www.sweetpotato.org/nutrition-wellness/
  • www.books.google.com.ph
  • www.authoritynutrition.com/foods/sweet-potatoes/

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