Sweet Potato

APPEARANCE: Literally hundreds of varieties of sweet potatoes are grown throughout the world, so tubers vary in size, shape, and color of flesh and skin as well as in taste and texture. Nevertheless, there are identifying consistencies. The skin is some shade of brown, and it is smooth, with hairlike roots. The shape is — most particularly, note — tubular and tapering to a point at both ends. Flesh color varies from white to deep orange to purple.

QUALITY: Tubers with purple flesh are considered the finest; those with deep orange flesh are generally more moist and sweeter than the pale varieties, which can be mealy and dry (but are considered to have more medicinal value). Check carefully for signs of rot, as these tubers do not keep well once out of the ground.