Steaming Yams: The Perfect Timing For Delicious Results

Yams and sweet potatoes are often confused with one another. In the US, soft sweet potatoes are labelled as yams. True yams are white, dry, and starchy, and are usually only found in international stores. Both types of vegetable can be steamed in the same way. Steaming yams is a great way to preserve their flavour and nutrients, and it's faster than baking. The length of time it takes to steam a yam depends on how you slice it before cooking.

Yam preparation: wash, scrub, peel, and cut

Preparing yams for cooking involves several steps: washing, scrubbing, peeling, and cutting. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Washing

Before you start scrubbing and peeling, it is essential to wash the yams to remove any dirt or impurities from the surface. Use cool water to rinse the yams and gently rub them with your hands or a vegetable brush to dislodge any stubborn dirt particles.

Scrubbing

After the initial wash, use a vegetable brush to scrub the yams thoroughly. This step helps remove any remaining dirt, as well as any waxy coating or residue on the surface of the yams. It is important to scrub them gently but firmly to ensure that the surface is clean and ready for the next steps.

Peeling

Once the yams are washed and scrubbed, it's time to peel them. There are a few ways to do this:

• Use a vegetable peeler: Hold the yam firmly and carefully run the peeler over the surface to remove the skin.
• Use a knife: If you don't have a vegetable peeler, you can use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the skin. Start by slicing off a small piece of one end to create a flat surface. Then, place the yam on a cutting board and use the knife to carefully cut away the skin, following the contour of the yam.

It is important to note that yam peels can cause skin irritation, known as Contact Dermatitis, so consider wearing rubber gloves while handling them. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid washing the yams before peeling, as the juice can cause itchiness when it comes in contact with the skin during cutting.

Cutting

After peeling, you can cut the yams into the desired shape and size. Here are a few common cutting methods:

• Slices: Cut the peeled yam into uniform slices. You can then cut these slices into strips or leave them as they are, depending on your recipe.
• Cubes: To cut the yam into cubes, first, slice it into rounds. Then, cut each round into equal-sized sticks. Finally, cut the sticks into cubes by slicing them crosswise.
• Wedges: Cut the yam lengthwise into rounds, then cut each round into wedges by slicing it into triangular pieces.

It is important to use a sharp knife and a large cutting board when cutting yams. Try to keep your cuts as even as possible to ensure even cooking. Additionally, rinsing the yam flesh with cool water after cutting can help prevent browning.

Steamer basket: place in a pot with 1-2 inches of water

Steamer baskets are a great way to cook yams, retaining their flavour and valuable nutrients. To steam yams in a steamer basket, you'll need to place the basket in a pot with 1-2 inches of water. The water level should be 1 inch below the steamer basket to prevent the bubbling water from touching the yams. If you're steaming for a longer time, you can add more water, but make sure it's not closer than 1 inch below the basket.

First, wash the yams thoroughly and cut out any dark or rough spots. You can peel the yams and cut them into large chunks, or leave them whole. If you want to reduce the cooking time, you can cut the yams into 1/2-inch slices. Place the yams in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, cover the pot and maintain a steady boil. The yams will take around 25-35 minutes to cook, depending on their size. You'll know they're ready when they're tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. Allow the yams to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Keep in mind that you'll need to monitor the water level during the steaming process and add boiling water as needed to prevent the pot from scorching.

Boiling water: bring to a boil and maintain

To steam yams, you'll first need to prepare your yams and get your water boiling. Wash and peel the yams, then cut them into bite-sized cubes. Choose a saucepan or pot that will be large enough to hold them without crowding.

Now, let's talk about the water. Fill the pot with just enough water to steam the yams effectively. You don't want the water to come into the steamer basket or colander when it's placed in the pot. A good rule of thumb is to fill the pot with about an inch of water or enough to reach about an inch below the steamer basket.

Once you've prepared your yams and filled the pot with the right amount of water, it's time to bring the water to a boil. Turn on the heat and wait for the water to reach a rolling boil. Depending on your stove and the amount of water you're boiling, this could take a few minutes.

Once the water is boiling, it's important to maintain that temperature. Keep the heat source at a level that will keep the water boiling steadily throughout the cooking process. Carefully place your steamer basket or colander into the pot, making sure it doesn't come into contact with the water.

Now, add your prepared yams to the steamer basket. Cover the pot to trap the steam inside. Let the yams steam until they are tender, which should take around 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the size of your yam pieces. You'll know they're ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork or knife.

Once they're tender, remove the pot from the heat and carefully take out the steamer basket. Allow your yams to rest for a few minutes before serving or using them in your recipe.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed yams that are fluffy, flavourful, and packed with nutrients.

Cooking time: 25-35 minutes, until tender when pierced

When steaming yams, the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the yams and how you slice them. For example, if you cut the yams in half lengthwise and then into 0.5-inch slices, they will take around 8 to 10 minutes to cook thoroughly. However, larger yams will take longer to steam, and if left whole, they can take up to 25 to 35 minutes to cook.

To steam yams, first, heat a large pot of water on the stove. Wash the yams thoroughly to remove any dirt and debris, and cut out any dark or rough spots. You can then peel the yams and cut them into large chunks, or leave them whole if you prefer. Place the yams in a steamer basket or colander over the pot of boiling water, making sure that the water level is just below the steamer basket. Cover the pot and let the yams steam for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on their size, until they are tender when pierced with a fork.

Once the yams are tender, remove them from the steamer basket and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. You can then slice the yams in half and add your desired toppings. Some suggested toppings include butter, salt, and pepper, or cinnamon and maple syrup. You can also saute the steamed yams with butter, salt, and pepper, and add a pineapple topping for a sweet side dish.

Toppings: add butter, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or maple syrup

Steaming yams is a great way to retain their flavour and nutrients. When sliced lengthwise and placed in a steamer basket with about 2 inches of water, yams should take 8 to 10 minutes to cook thoroughly.

Once cooked, yams can be seasoned with a variety of toppings. For a savoury option, try adding butter, salt, and pepper. For a sweeter treat, cinnamon and maple syrup are excellent choices.

For a more indulgent option, consider roasting the yams in maple cinnamon butter. Toss the yams in a mixture of butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt, then roast them on a baking sheet. This method takes a little longer, with a cook time of around 35 minutes, but the end result is a delicious, elegant side dish.

If you're feeling extra creative, try a maple-glazed yam with a pecan topping. Layer sliced yams in a greased pan, then pour over a mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bake until tender, then sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts.

With their versatility and nutritional value, yams make a great addition to any meal.

Frequently asked questions