During the holiday season it’s interesting to see the differences in culinary traditions and cooking styles across North America. Growing up, mashed potatoes were never a part of any holiday meals. I didn’t understand why others had mashed potatoes drenched in thick, dark brown gravy during the holidays. I see the holidays as a great way to enjoy, experiment with, and highlight the harvests Mother Nature and the hard work of labourers have provided.

My favourite traditional holiday side dish is yams. Yams (often mistakenly referred to as sweet potatoes) can be eaten as: mashed, baked, a casserole, a soup, or however you choose to eat it. All I know is that yams are far superior to mashed potatoes in taste and nutrients.

The following is an easy yam recipe for those who have never cooked with this vegetable:

Sweet Potato Cranberry Bake Recipe

Ingredients
4 large sweet potatoes, peeled
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup orange juice

TOPPING:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter

Directions
Place sweet potatoes in a Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40-50 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-in. slices.

Place half in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Top with half of the cranberries, brown sugar and butter. Repeat layers. Pour orange juice over top. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until topping is golden brown. Yield: 6-8 servings.

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 50 min. Bake: 40 min.
MAKES: 6-8 servings

Whatever you choose to cook, may your time with family and friends be filled with fun, memories in the making, and gratitude. Season’s greetings!

Originally published as Sweet Potato Cranberry Bake in Country Woman September/October 2003, p.33

Yo’vella is a former McCauley resident and continues to work in the community.