Foods that are traditionally associated with Thanksgiving - at least in my house - often find their way to the table for meals other than Thanksgiving ... they are too good to relegate to just one day of the year! 

One of the easiest to bring to any weeknight meal is the sweet potato. This sweet, starchy vegetable is super simple to cook (simply pierce with a fork and bake until soft) and can be dressed up or down as desired. And while it's usually thought of as a great accompaniment for something else (i.e. meat), it can easily be elevated to the main event. 

By adding a combination of savory or sweet flavors, any sweet potato becomes more interesting and filling. And with so many combinations, you can easily find something to please everyone in your house.

Flavor Ideas

Savory Pairings

• Black beans, corn, red cabbage, cilantro, quest fresco, lime
• Crispy curried chickpeas, sautéed kale, tzatziki sauce 
• Kalamata olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese
• Sausage, walnuts, blueberries, mint
• Guacamole, black beans, poached eggs, scallions

Sweet Pairings

• Butter and brown sugar
• Honey and bacon
• Maple, cinnamon, candied pecans

Nutritional Information

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes gut health and digestion. Orange and purple varieties also contain high levels of antioxidants, which protect your body from free radicals (those unstable molecules that can damage DNA and trigger inflammation). Free radical damage has been linked to chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and aging. Therefore, eating antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce those negative effects. One cup of cooked sweet potato (with the skin) will give you 180 delicious calories, more than 6 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, more than 700% of your daily Vitamin A needs, 65% of your daily Vitamin C, and 27% of your daily potassium.