Asian Sweet Potatoes Found In Grocery Store

[macmex]

On a visit to Alaska, to see my daughter, I found these two varieties of sweet potato. Am hoping to bring some home and try growing them this year.


Asian Sweet Potatoes from The Store: Sweet Potato Network Post

[boiledpeanut]

Ah yes, Ive tried those before. Baker's creek sales them as well as southern exposure: www.southernexposure.com/products/all-purple-sweet-potato/

They tend to be much skinner than the yams Im used to (Ive never grown them but as a southern Ive cooked and eaten many!
Good luck growing them let us know how it goes

EDIT: southern exposure offers a mix www.southernexposure.com/products/sweet-potato-mix-orange-white-purple/
i think bakers creek does too however they sell out so fast it can be a handle to get em

[macmex]

That's a pretty good selection, though the white skinned, purple fleshed variety I found isn't like any they offer. We went back today and I got a photo of the bin and sign over it. They're from Okinawa and they're labeled "Sweet Purple." I suspect they're the same, or very similar to Okinawan Purple, offered by Sandhill Preservation Center. They note that they are extremely late and not a heavy producer (in Iowa). It'll be interesting to see how they do in Oklahoma.

I already grow two other purple varieties. This one is the sweetest purple I've ever tasted. It's literally like a moist purple candy.

[chrysanthemum]

Before we moved to Texas, we used to live near a very large Korean grocery store.  It was a great place to shop.  We’ve missed it.

[boiledpeanut]

'purple candy' That sounds delicious!

chrysanthemum I hope you can find a similar store, asian supermarkets here in the states are always treat to visit.

[heavyhitterokra]

George,

Have you ever dried sweet potatoes before?

We use a mandoline slicer to get them as thin as possible, then place the slices in the dehydrator. They make a great snack to carry around in your pocket while doing chores.

That new, purple sweet potato sounds like a good candidate for drying.

[macmex]

I have tried dried sweet potatoes. They're good!

I have to confess a special fondness for Asian food and culture. My father worked with a good many Asians and international folk, when he was in research and development with AT&T. He loved to cook and he loved to experiment and learn. For some years he would fix the family an "international meal" once a week. As a kid I literally "ate this up." Then, as a gardener, he used to search the seed catalogs for international varieties to try, especially things like Asian peppers.

When he was around 50, Dad studied Chinese. I remember taking him out to eat at a franchised restaurant and having him tell me that the Chinese characters, painted on the wall behind the counter said. 

Then, while in school, Jerreth and I had many special friends from other countries, especially Asians and Hispanics.