White Yam

Photo: flickr user liangjinjian

About

Originated in Africa and is the most widely grown and preferred yam species. A large number of white yam cultivars exist with differences in their production and post-harvest characteristics.

Information

Other names: Dioscorea Rotunda, Boniato

Translations: Baltoji Yam, Alb Yam, Bijela Yam, Biały Yam, Witte Yam, Hvit Yam, Белый Ям, Λευκό Yam, أبيض يام, 화이트 Yam, Bílá Yam, Putih Yam, 白荫, Blanc nyam, Bela Yam, Biela Yam, לבן ים, Vit Yam, Бела Јам, ホワイトヤム, सफेद रतालू, Blanco ñame, Білий Ям, Valkoinen Yam, Бяла Yam

Physical Description

The tuber is roughly cylindrical in shape, the skin is smooth and brown and the flesh usually white and firm.

Colors: Brown, White

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Sweet, mild

Food complements: Brown sugar, Cheese

Wine complements: Beaujolais

Substitutes: Sweet potato, Russet potato

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Peak: january, february, march, opctober, november, december

Choosing: Look for skin with little blemishes that is firm with no soft spots.

Buying: Grocery stores, farmer's markets.

Procuring: It matures in 110 days and grows well in both northern and southern gardens.

Preparation and Use

A yam can be prepared like a potato: baked, boiled, sautéed, steamed, microwaved, or fried.

Cleaning: Scrub with vegetable brush. Peel and dry.

Conserving and Storing

Store your sweet potatoes in a dry, dark 55 degree F (12 – 13 degrees C) area for approximately a month. Otherwise, use your sweet potato within the week. Never place a sweet potato in the refrigerator. Store your yam in a cool, dark, dry place up to 2 weeks. Never place your yam in the refrigerator.

Social/Political

Believed to have originated in South American and the West Indies, and is grown in Australasia and Polynesia for its large root with fine edible white flesh.

History:
The word yam comes from African words njam, nyami, or djambi, meaning "to eat," and was first recorded in America in 1676.