Yams

Although the word yam is often used to cover many different tropical root crops it is in fact an edible tuber of plants of the genus Dioscorea. There are many different types of yam, varying in size, shape and colour. The flesh can also vary in colour from white, yellow, or pink or even purple. The bark-like skin may be smooth or rough, pale in colour or brown or purple. They have to be cooked before eating. Once cooked, they are fairly bland with a slightly sweetish flavour. They are used as a filling carbohydrate and can be steamed, boiled, mashed, grilled, roasted or fried.