Sweet Potato Balls - Southeast Asian Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a Korean sweet potato called? ›

In Korean, they are called “bam goguma” and “mul goguma.” These two types are the same Japanese sweet potato, but their appearance and texture are slightly different depending on their growing conditions.

Because they're a little drier and starchier than other varieties, Japanese sweet potatoes have a distinct creaminess and a fluffier, lighter texture, a little more like a regular baking potato than a standard orange sweet potato. They also have a particularly sweet yet, subtle flavor compared to many other varieties.

Satsumaimo, or Japanese sweet potato, are everywhere in the fall, from trucks offering freshly roasted yakiimo (baked sweet potatoes) to convenience store treats and your local cake shop.

If you never tried Taiwanese Deep Fried Sweet Potato Balls before, it is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. All you need is THREE simple ingredients, Yam, Sweet Potato Flour, and sugar; THAT'S IT! What is this? A Gluten-Free dessert that you need to try!

Nevertheless, Korean Sweet Potatoes are smaller, purple on the outside, and yellow on the inside when cooked. It has a lower water content which makes it perfect as a roasted or baked snack because it retains a dry but fluffy interior when cooked. It is also sweeter than American sweet potatoes.

Color: The most noticeable difference is, of course, the color. Korean purple sweet potatoes have vibrant purple flesh, while regular sweet potatoes are typically orange or yellow. This color variation is due to differences in antioxidant compounds present in the potatoes.

And although I'm certainly no dietician, Korean online sources all say pretty much the same thing about it being a decent part of one's diet in the first place, being such a common choice for those wanting to lose weight: When comparing potatoes (for example) with sweet potatoes of the same quantity, sweet potatoes are ...

Sweet Potatoes and Health

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

The most versatile and sweetest variation of sweet potatoes is the Beauregard. Throughout the United States, you will see this species stacked high in the grocery stores during the holiday season. Beauregard's have a bit of a stringy texture, but they stay soft: this is what makes them so popular.

While Beauregards may be the most common sweet potato, Jewels are right next to them in terms of being a great, classic sweet potato. They have a pretty, thin orange skin, and bright orange flesh that screams "sweet potato." (Or "yam," wrong as that may be. Shrug.)

How to make sweet potato mounds? ›

How to Plant Sweet Potatoes: Create raised mounds 6 to 8 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. Plan 3 feet between mounds and about 12-18 inches apart in a row so that there is enough space for vines to run. Plant the slips on a warm, overcast day, when the soil temperature has reached 65°F.

Bake the Potato Balls® for 20-30 minutes in a conventional oven, 15-25 minutes in a convection oven, or until golden brown. Because all ovens vary, check the Potato Balls® 5 minutes.

Start your slips by placing sections of mature sweet potato in a jar or glass of water with half of the potato below the water and half above. Use toothpicks to hold the sweet potato in place. The slips need warmth, so put them on a window ledge or on top of a radiator.

Despite their sweet taste, these potatoes have an intermediate glycemic index (GI) level, meaning they are digested and absorbed fairly slowly, leading to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels. But, a lot of these benefits, including nutrients and taste, can be lost by boiling sweet potatoes.