We’re now in the Orange Season:

• The leaves are turning orange;
• Orange and black Halloween preparations are upon us; and
• Orange-colored root vegetables, including sweet potato and sweet squash, are in season and boutiful.

Sweet potatoes seem to go hand-in-hand with the fall season and the holidays, and fortunately, eating these and other sweet vegetables needn’t be limited to this time of year. Cravings for sweets can be greatly reduced by adding sweet vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, beets, squash, turnips and rutabagas, to your daily diet. Sweet potatoes elevate blood sugar gently, rather than with the jolt delivered by simple refined carbohydrates, so there’s no energy crash after you eat them. Sweet potatoes naturally boost energy.

Much higher in nutrients than white potatoes and especially rich in vitamin A, sweet potatoes offer a creamy consistency that is satisfying and soothing. They are healing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and help to remove toxins from the body. They can increase the quantity of milk in lactating women and can lessen cramps and pre-menstrual symptoms.

Any sweet potato is nutritious, but your body will thank you if you make yours local and organic for maximum nutrition and minimum toxicity. This recipe below takes full advantage of the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes and adds the pleasing counterbalancing sour taste of lime.

Another important advantage of this potato preparation is that it is healthy convenience!

Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro

This recipe is an eye-opener for those who find sweet potatoes cloyingly sweet or who are tired of eating them smothered in marshmallows and brown sugar.

 Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

 Ingredients:

4 sweet potatoes
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
2-3 limes
butter or olive oil, salt (optional)

 Directions:

1.   Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them whole, in their skins, at 375 degrees until tender, about 40 minutes. (Try to resist throwing your sweet potatoes in the microwave. Baking brings out their natural flavor and protects you from the electromagnetic frequencies of the microwave.)

2.   Wash and chop cilantro leaves.

3.   When sweet potatoes are done, slit open the skin and place on serving plate. Season with salt and dots of butter or a sprinkle of oil, if you like, then squeeze fresh lime juice all over, and shower with cilantro leaves.

Filed under: Dairy-free, Foods for energy, Gluten-free, Tree-nut free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat-free