How to boil sweet potatoes so they cook quickly in 20 minutes and are naturally sweet without added sugar

foto ilustrasi: YouTube/Moeday

A common problem is that the sweet potato is cooked unevenly, the outside is soft but the inside is still hard. The sweetness is also not optimal.

Brilio.net - Sweet potatoes are one of the staple foods that are rich in nutrients and easy to find in Indonesia. These tubers contain various vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are beneficial for health. In addition to being filling, sweet potatoes also have a lower glycemic index than white rice, making them suitable for diet programs or blood sugar control.

Indonesian people process sweet potatoes in various forms, from boiling, frying, steaming, to processing into various modern snacks. However, the most practical and healthy way is to boil, because it does not require oil and can maintain nutrients optimally.

Boiling sweet potatoes looks simple, but often the results are less than satisfactory. Generally, the boiling process takes 30-45 minutes until the sweet potatoes are completely cooked. The problem that often occurs is that the sweet potatoes are cooked unevenly, the outside is soft but the inside is still hard. In addition, the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes is sometimes less than optimal, even though this is the main attraction of consuming sweet potatoes.

By using some simple tricks, boiling time can be cut down to just 15-20 minutes. Here are the steps to consider before boiling sweet potatoes reviewed by BrilioFood , Monday (1/27).

1. Choose sweet potatoes that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
2. Wash the sweet potatoes and cut them into 3-4 cm thick slices.
3. Soak the sweet potato pieces in cold water for 10 minutes.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the soaking water - the salt in the soaking water helps soften the sweet potato fibers and makes the texture more compact when cooked.

Once the preparation process is complete, here is the correct way to boil:

1. Prepare a pan filled with clean water, make sure the volume is sufficient to submerge all the pieces of sweet potato.
2. Add 2 pandan leaves and 1 teaspoon of salt to the water - the pandan leaves help to bring out the natural fragrance and neutralize the earthy aroma of the sweet potato, while the salt in the boiling water serves to speed up the ripening process and helps to maintain the original color of the sweet potato.
3. Boil the water first before adding the sweet potatoes
4. Add the sweet potato pieces when the water is boiling.
5. Boil over medium heat and leave the pan uncovered
6. Stir occasionally so that the cooking process is even.

The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes can be maximized without adding sugar. Some factors that affect the sweetness level of sweet potatoes include:

1. Choosing the right sweet potato
- Choose sweet potatoes that are old, characterized by optimal size and smooth skin.
- Avoid sweet potatoes that are too young or have lots of wounds on their skin.
- Choose sweet potatoes that feel heavy when held.

2. Storage before processing
- Store sweet potatoes in a cool and dry place
- Leave the sweet potatoes at room temperature for 1-2 days before processing.
- Avoid storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator as this can reduce their natural sugar content.

3. Cooking techniques
- Do not peel the sweet potato skin before boiling it.
- Make sure the water is boiling before adding the sweet potatoes.
- Turn off the heat when the sweet potato is cooked and let it soak for a while in the boiling water.

1. Do not soak peeled sweet potatoes for too long as this can reduce the nutrients.
2. Use medium heat during the boiling process.
3. Check the doneness by piercing the sweet potato with a fork.
4. Drain the sweet potatoes immediately after they are cooked so they don't get too soft.

By following the guide above, the sweet potato boiling process can be more efficient and produce evenly cooked sweet potatoes with optimal natural sweetness. This method also helps maintain the nutritional content of sweet potatoes, so that their health benefits are maintained.

Consuming boiled sweet potatoes can be an alternative healthy snack or a substitute for carbohydrates in the daily menu. In addition to being filling, the right way of processing will produce delicious boiled sweet potatoes without the need for additional sugar or other sweeteners.

(brl/tin)