Photo: Torkil Stavdal
Sweet potatoes are pretty much created for this alternative to french fries, I think. They are sweet, as their name indicate, but they are also packed with good nutrition. High in anti-oxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A and C, plus maganese.
“Recent research has shown that particularly when passing through our digestive tract, sweet potato cyanidins and peonidins and other color-related phytonutrients may be able to lower the potential health risk posed by heavy metals and oxygen radicals. That risk reduction is important not only for individuals at risk of digestive tract problems like irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, but for all persons wanting to reduce the potential risk posed by heavy metal residues (like mercury or cadmium or arsenic) in their diet.” (from The World’s Healthiest Food”
So slice them up, like you would one of those french deep fried unhealthy white potatoes, and roast them in the oven. Add a good oil like un-toasted sesame oil, some herbs, a little sea-salt, and roast at 425 degrees for about 45 min. You can add a little water to the bottom of the pan while roasting, to not have to use too much oil. It does make them a little softer but they are still yummy.
Photo: Torkil Stavdal
You can use other roots for this too. We tried parsnip, which is also a nice, sweet, and nutrient dense powerful root. A bit more chewy than the sweet potatoes.
Photo: Torkil Stavdal
Basically it is the same procedure as with the sweet potatoes alone, but since the parsnip are a bit more chewy you can put them in the oven first and give them 15 min. before adding the sweet potatoes.
Parsnip have even more fiber than sweet potatoes, which is both a nice add-on for health, and it slows down the absorption of the sugar from the sweet potatoes. They are equally high in anti-oxidants and vitamin C as well as a very good source of niacin, thiamine, magnesium, and potassium. Parsnip are an excellent source of riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6 and E. So basically the combination of sweet potatoes and parsnip makes this a super healthy, and super sweet, addition to a good meal. Remember your green veggies with it though. No dessert needed after this one.
Enjoy.
Photo: Torkil Stavdal