Sweet potatoes offer nutrients needed well beyond the holidays

By Tommy C. Simmons
Associated Press

Sweet potatoes are a nutritional bargain. They are rich in flavor and natural sweetness and are packed with immune system boosting beta-carotene, the chemical that gives the sweet potato its deep orange color.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, fresh sweet potatoes have more beta-carotene than carrots and more vitamin C than tomatoes.

Not just a holiday side, sweet potatoes are great to serve throughout the year, but they pair particularly well with fall fare such as pork roasts, turkey, duck and Cornish hens.

Every family has its favorite recipe for a brown-sugar-and-pecan or marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole.