Marshmallows on Sweet Potatoes: WHY?!
Photo partially courtesy to istockphoto.com
Excuse me readers while I partake in a little bit of a rant. And I’m sorry to say, David Lebovitz, that it was inspired by your post.
I HATE WHEN PEOPLE PUT MARSHMALLOWS ON SWEET POTATOES.
Whew. Ok thanks, I feel a little bit better.
But seriously, there are tons of recipes out there like Sweet Potato Casserole or this Holiday Sweet Potato Bake that just douse their precious sweet potatoes in sugary, gloppy marshmallow goop. And I just don’t get it! Why do you people do this?!
Don’t you understand that the sweet potatoes are tasty enough on their own because they have the amazing capacity to glaze themselves when cooked? If it were up to me, I’d NEVER add anything to sweet potatoes because they’re so delicious on their own! It just so happens that we served them with carrots and beef brisket in our tzimmes, but that’s nothing compared to unneccessarily adding marshmallows.
I’m sorry if I offend anyone but I just think you need to try a sweet potato without marshmallows or any additives for once. And when you do, I’m pretty sure you’ll wonder why you ever wasted your money on that pack of JetPuffed Marshmallows (sorry Kraft!)
There are however some good recipes out there that, while adding other ingredients, leave out the marshmallows: Sweet Potato Crisp, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Sweetest Sweet Potato Souffle.
-Hillary, encouraging everyone with great sweet potato recipes to submit them to the contest
Editor, Recipe4Living
Popularity: 4% [?]
Tags: marshmallows, marshmallows on sweet potatoes: why?!, sweet potatoes
Send to a friend:
I so agree with the “no marshmallow on sweet potato” theory! I ate the marshmallow ones too many times a a kid. I prefer a rich puree made with added cream, a little butter & a small amt of brown sugar.
Posted by JEP at November 15th, 2007, 6:43 pmSomeone taught my mom to cook sweet potatoes with marshmallows a loooong long time ago, when we first moved to this country. So she’s made them like this EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR for Thanksgiving. She refuses to make them any other way, because she thinks this is the only way to cook them!
Posted by steamy kitchen at November 15th, 2007, 10:29 pmI look at recipes for a “sweet potato” with too much sugar (what marshmallows are mostly) as junk food. All too often you will see this casserole at someone’s table and think to yourself “what were you thinking?” Hell I have even seen one with fluff on it. Of all starches to mask why a nice sweet potato.
Posted by Jerzee Tomato at November 16th, 2007, 1:45 amSome people need to keep their ladies home journal/women’s day magazine recipes down to less than 1lb of sugar.EEK!!!!
It actually look like a sweet potato turn mouldy!!! :O
Posted by tigerfish at November 16th, 2007, 3:12 amMarshmallows definitely sound better and IS better!
JEP - I’m glad you agree! No need for marshmallows!
steamy kitchen - Haha, that’s too funny. Maybe you should offer to make the sweet potatoes this year? :)
Jerzee Tomato - I agree! No need to mask the sweet potato!
Tigerfish - Haha, it looks like it vomited marshmallows…it’s just gross.
Posted by Hillary at November 16th, 2007, 10:09 amSo agree!! I’ve seen so many ‘recipes’ for this but I just can’t get it either!! Now, sweet potato pie…. :)
paola
Posted by paola at November 16th, 2007, 12:40 pmay!
Posted by David at November 17th, 2007, 11:09 amhi,
Posted by Savvy Savorer at November 18th, 2007, 2:06 amI know that you’ll be around seattle. Can’t seem to find your email on the site. The bloggers dinner will be after the holidays but I would love to give you suggestions or anything so send me an email .
I have some American friends who lived in Ireland for some years and every year I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for them , and every year they insisted on sweet potatoes with Marshmallows on top.
Posted by Martin at November 18th, 2007, 5:52 amNow in Ireland marshmallows only come in one guise, in little cellophane packets of mixed white and pink ones. The pink ones looked so synthetic and garish that I couldn’t bear to use them in the cooking so each Thanksgiving me had to eat our way through all the pink, unused marshmallows.
I haven’t been able to even look at them since..
I love sweet potatoes with marshmallows not alot of them but just a bit. Its a tradiation in this family. To each his own though. I say make them the way you like them. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.God bless you all.
Posted by shelia at November 19th, 2007, 4:56 amMy husband’s family has made sweet potatoes with marshmallows since we met 17 years ago. I love sweet potatoes cook this way. Anytime I bring this plate to a potluck at work, its the only plate that seems to disappear as fast as I can place it on the table. Are their other recipes out their that one could cook sweet potatoes? Absolutely! But whats the point. If you like them this way the relax and enjoy your meal. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE.
Posted by Liz at November 19th, 2007, 6:09 amTexas Roadhouse serves sweet potatoes this way but not to me!!!! Butter and a tad bit of brown sugar and cinnamon mixture complement this food perfectly. If my mother saw a sweet potato with marshmallow on it she would roll over in her grave. AND she was from Ireland.
Posted by Teri at November 19th, 2007, 6:11 amMarshmellows on sweet potatoes..only way my family ever did it.
Posted by Jean at November 19th, 2007, 6:30 amLike my husband’s mom said, “Anything is good, if you like it!”
I think this is one of the old recipes that remind us boomers of a time gone by and memories of our families. Of fplks who may no longer be around to make some of these weird recipes. Our parents generation was always trying to cover up vegetables like the cheese sauce with the broccoli, etc. As far as sweet potatoes my mom always made one plain and one with marshmellows. I always ate the plain ones. Even then I thought they tasted much better.
Posted by Karen at November 19th, 2007, 6:42 amWith the epidemic of diabetes happening, this dish may soon disappear from our tables. Once can only hope. Baked sweet potato with butter, salt and pepper. The only way to go. I want to taste the food, not the topping.
Posted by Addie at November 19th, 2007, 6:50 amHmmm, my mom has made her sweet potatoes like this since I can remember. Though I agree they are sweet enough without the marshmallows, I still honor this tradition. I can have sweet potatoes any time of the year but something about having them on Thanksgiving, cooked by mom, and topped with marshmallows is a comfort food issue with me…lol
Posted by Shell at November 19th, 2007, 7:07 amSweet potatoes without marshmellows? That would be like Santa without a red suit.
Posted by Cath at November 19th, 2007, 7:26 amIn my family I think it is just tradition. I, as the cook, am not offended if not everyone likes them.
I am 80 years old and ever since I can remember, my family put marshmallows on sweet potatoes - I still like the idea. I’m sorry for those that disagree. I have never made a sweet potato casserole mashing the potatoes. Thank goodness we don’t all think alike.
Posted by Millie at November 19th, 2007, 7:57 amExcuse me but there is nothing wrong with putting marshmallows on sweet potatoes,i agree they dont need to be smothered in them but they are very good with them. Also just to give you a heads up before you start saying ” oh that is because she has never had them plain” well i hatet to break it to you i have them plain . I have had them many different ways and all were wonderful, maybe you should be a little more open minded about different things befor you go bashing something because they put too much of it on.
Posted by jessica at November 19th, 2007, 8:01 amI watched Paula Dean’s Southern Thanksgiving this Saturday, she took it even further…mashed the sweet potatoes, added brown sugar, formed into a ball around the giant marshmallo and then rolled the whole mess in sugar and sweetened coconut. You can see the results of that kind of cooking, good thing I have a widescreen TV.
I like to mash with orange juice. and orange zest. Top with a smidge of butter, a little (very little) brown Splenda, and chopped pecans. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or make the night before and bake about 20 minutes.
Posted by Deb at November 19th, 2007, 8:12 amI grew up having marshmelllows on sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. I am now a mother & grandmother and I don’t make that anymore. I have made sweetpotato souffle for as long as I can remember & it wouldn’t be Thandsgiving if we didn’t have the souffle. My oldest daughter does the meal at her home now and that is what we have along with our turkey meal I don’t know if you have ever had carrot souffle, but if you haven’t I think I like that better. It has taken me a long time to find the recipe, but I finally did. I believe I will have that for Christmas dinner this year.
Posted by Margie Work at November 19th, 2007, 8:19 amMy remembrances of sweet potatoes with marshmallows are from the really early 40’s when, during WWII when there was a shortage of sugar (rationing actually) they were used around the outside of the dish to add flavor (remember, very little sugar available)
Posted by Ann at November 19th, 2007, 8:32 amand as a garnish only. Not smothered! And what kid doesn’t like marshmallows? Always good addition to a weiner roast.
Yum Yum Candied Sweet Potatoes
Fix your sweet potatoes this way one time and it will be your only way. No marshmellows!
6 Yams
Boil in water to cover. Cook (about 30 to 45 minutes) until you can stick a fork in them and retrieve it. As soon as this happens remove from stove and cool. They will continue to cook some so rinse immediately with cold water. Let continue to cool. Skin as soon as cool enough. Refrigerate until cold—they will slice better.
Make the sauce and pour between the layers of sliced yams
1 cup of sugar
1 stick of real butter
about 1/4 cup water (just enough to blend the sauce)
dash of salt
dash of cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Bring to a boil and simmer until thickens. Drop a drop into cold water to test. It should make a soft ball when ready.
Grease casserole. Slice yams lengthwise. Put a layer in the casserole and spoon sauce over the layer. Repeat until all yams and sauce are used.
Do not put this together until you are ready to bake for dinner. The sauce will thin out if not baked soon after assembling.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. It should be very hot and bubbly when it is done. Cool slightly before serving.
Doris Hosse
Posted by Doris Hosse at November 19th, 2007, 8:42 am615-833-4237
RELAX and enjoy the marshmallow. This is southern staple for the holidays. If you don’t like them, wait until the 2nd or 3rd serving, they’ll be out of your way and you can simply dig under for the marshamllow(less) potatoes. :) They don’t add much fat the dish but they do add
Posted by michael at November 19th, 2007, 8:54 ama little extra flavor and most importantly FOR MANY OF US THEY ARE A HARMLESS TRADITION.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
We eat sweet potatoes year round. I like them baked with a little butter, but they also are great for hash, soups and a variety of other uses. On Thanksgiving, though, I make them with marshmallows because that’s the tradition I grew up with and it’s one that I have kept alive as an adult. The whole thanksgiving feast thing, with cranberry sauce, three or four different pies and a giant bird stuffed with bread and assorted goodies, is a little goofy. Why not be a little goofy with the sweet potatoes, too? These are quite pretty on the table, and kids love them. Isn’t this feast mainly for the kids?
Posted by Dennis at November 19th, 2007, 8:54 amI agree with Hillary, no marshmellows on sweet potatoes
Posted by Elma Henson at November 19th, 2007, 8:56 amfirst, my Grandmother made them with marshmellows. Then My mother made them that way also. I have now been the Chef for the last few years (I’m 45 yrs. old). I have been on the fence lately only because they do taste great either way. I will most likely put some on top for mostly a garnish. The one big difference in ours is they are half sweet potato’s and half yams.
Posted by Todd (Seattle) at November 19th, 2007, 9:19 amIs there anyone else who does the 50/50 thing?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and remember to be grateful for everything you have.
Well it is like never being too rich or too thin. Just has to be.
Posted by Susie at November 19th, 2007, 9:21 amI’ve had them with and without! It’s a tradition in the family and I started my own a couple of years ago. I make praline yams and I took the dish to a meeting and by the time it was over the dish was empty!!!! Everyone wanted to know how it was made and I wrote it out and e-mailed it to those that wanted it!!!!! By the way, no marshmellows,it doesn’t need them this way!!!!! If you want the recipe let me know and I’ll e-mail it to you!!!!! ;)
Posted by Lisa (Valparaiso,IN) at November 19th, 2007, 9:44 amI think a little butter, brown sugar and NUTMEG make them outstanding.
Posted by terri at November 19th, 2007, 9:51 amMarshamallows were used when sugar was rare. Now that both are readily available we seem to have too much of a good thing. The combination of those recipes with sugar(brown,etc) and those with other sweeteners seem to have been combined over time to match ingredients available. With scant availability of sugar, desserts were less sweet and ‘candied’ yams seemed to accomadate the season’s sweet tooth needs. Have a happy Thanksgiving and enjoy sweet potatoes any way you wish and be Thankful they are availabe all year round.
Posted by Royce at November 19th, 2007, 9:52 amJeeeezzzzzzeeee — I didn’t know so many people hated marshmallows. Thank Goodness there are those of us that love them. My son will be home for Thanksgiving this year and of course he has asked for 2 items to be on our holiday table - Sweet Potatoes the way Granma always made them - Yes TOPPED with marshmallows…toasted lightly and Pistachio Nut Salad whereas Kraft Marshmallows are the main ingredient. Yum Yum! I have tried the casseroles but my family doesn’t like them smashed they like them cut in circles, make your glaze in a saucepan with butter, brown suguar, molasses, vanilla, cinamon and pour over the precooked fresh potatoes cut into circles and bake at 350 degrees for atleast 45 minutes - just before you serve while you are cooking your rolls you toss the marshmallows on top and brown lightly - its a Tradition. We always thought it was a Texas thing but in the late 80’s we moved to Guam USA and had islanders as well as military friends love the dish. My girlfriend makes this and their family eats it as a dessert. They melt the marshmallows into the sauce and then when it caramizing they pour it over the potatoes, bake it for 20 minutes and then serve it as a dessert. God Bless You and Your Family and Have a Wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving Feast with or without Marshmallows. But remember to be Thankful to have the food on your table and to pray for our troops!
Posted by Trenda at November 19th, 2007, 10:04 amMy family loves my sweet potatoes with marshmellows on top. I only fix it this way for Thanksgiving. It is a tradition. We have to keep the traditions going! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Posted by Rene Faulkner at November 19th, 2007, 10:11 amI like to put crushed pineapple, with the juice, in my mashed sweet potatoes and just a small amout of brown sugar. Then I put corn flakes on top instead of marshmallows. Try it, its very good and if you want you can omit the brown sugar alll together the pineapple makes them sweet enough.
Posted by Jane at November 19th, 2007, 10:18 amWOW…INTERESTING READING,SURE TELLS YOU ABOUT PEOPLE..THAT WHY WE HAVE CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA….MYSELF I LOVE ROCKY ROAD…*GRIN*
Posted by MARIO at November 19th, 2007, 10:19 amOPPS… CORRECTION…THAT’S WHY WE HAVE CHOICES…ENJOY,IT’S ALL GOOD!
Posted by MARIO at November 19th, 2007, 10:21 amWow, I’m so glad that there’s someone else out there that appreciates sweet potatoes with out the sugar overload. I have always hated the marshmallow glop too.
Posted by Lemay at November 19th, 2007, 11:15 amThanks for alerting the world to the fact that we can enjoy sweet potatoes without risking diabetes. We do get enough sugars in our other goodies.
Thanks again for your post. Lemay
I’m one of those that is willing to try anything. Sweet potatoes are good any way that they are served, but I prefer them baked with butter and honey.
Posted by Bradley Benton at November 19th, 2007, 11:30 amThanks everyone for the comments! I’m glad most of you are on my side :)
Posted by Hillary at November 19th, 2007, 11:43 amI HAVE COOKED SWEET POTATOES WITH AND WITHOUT MARSHMALLOWS. SINCE MY KIDS LIKE THEM WITH MARSHMALLOWS, I COOK THEM THAT WAY FOR THEM. I HAVE ALSO PUT RAISINS IN THEM TOO.
Posted by KIM at November 19th, 2007, 12:27 pmI JUST WANTED TO ADD ONE MORE THING. I DO NOT PUT ANY SUGAR OR SPICES IN MINE. JUST BOIL THEM, ADD SOME BUTTER AND MASH THEM UP. THEN PUT THE MARSHMALLOWS ON THEM AND BROWN. THEY ARE STILL GOOD THAT WAY WITHOUT ALOT OF SUGAR.
Posted by KIM at November 19th, 2007, 12:33 pmWe put marshmallows on sweet potatoes because our kids love them and it tastes good. Let us accept the fact that everyone is entitled to their own likes and dislikes and the reason we have these recipe websites is to find variety. If everyone ate the same thing there would be no need, now would there? Let’s stop bashing the marshmallows and move on people!
Posted by Lynda at November 19th, 2007, 1:20 pmWe love marshmallows on our sweet potatoes!! our family tries to watch what we eat about 80% of the time. We work out together, and try to eat meals together most of the time. We are a very healthy family. Once maybe twice a year we have pumpkin pie and our beloved sweet potatoes w/ marshmallows whats the harm? If you like them eat them. If not leave them alone. I’m sure there are plenty other things you love. Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by Jacqueline at November 19th, 2007, 1:52 pmMy family won’t eat them any other way. My mother served them to me like that as a child in St. Louis, Missouri and they are now still on the holiday menu each and every year. I guess it’s a southern thing.
Posted by Mariann at November 19th, 2007, 2:31 pmHad to ad this- I like them baked or boiled with No sugar or cinnamon let alone marshmallows. I like baked beans on them and call it lunch! I also had no idea so many people hated marshmallows.
Posted by Louise at November 19th, 2007, 2:41 pmMARSHELLOWS AND A LITTLE CINNAMON MAKE BETTER CANDIED YAMS. THEY ARE REALL DELICIOUS
Posted by BRENDA at November 19th, 2007, 2:45 pmI live in upstate New York and as part of my traditional holiday meal, I serve sweetpotatoes with marshmallows. Everyone loves them and expect to have them every year. I prefer them this way.
Posted by Judy at November 19th, 2007, 4:49 pmI don’t care, i just like them either way,makes no difference to me. I did find out that OutBack Steak House makes them without marshmallows with a little butter & cinnamon and they are Oooo so good!
Posted by marioauntdeb at November 19th, 2007, 7:46 pmExcuse me, but marshmallows have been the main topping on the Sweet Potato Casserole since George Washington as far as I’m concerned, even though I wasn’t there. Someone has to be crazy or not know what’s good not to include the MM Topping.
Posted by Robert M. Sharman at November 19th, 2007, 10:31 pmWell, in Texas- marshmallows were required- for Thanksgiving. But if you have ever had a fresh, straight from the ground,washed -into the oven to your plate!!! a little salt, pepper, & butter– man, that’s enough to be thankful for! East Texas has the BEST .
Posted by Suzi D at November 20th, 2007, 1:50 amOur dinners now have relatives that have moved from New Mexico & share the holidays. We have switched to the souffle topped with just a little brown sugar, butter, & pecans.
I’ll take that over marshmallows anyday. Some of our 30ish y/o children still thinks it’s just wrong to not have the original version.
IIt’s funny to watch the changes. Kinda like the tradition of the grandmother who cut the end of the ham off before cooking it. When it came her daughters time to do the cooking of the ham, she always cut the end off. The granddaughter ask one day “Why”. The mother said, ‘cuz Mom always did. The granddaughter asked the elderly woman, “Why”
The grandmother said, I don’t know why your mother does, but my pan was too small!.
So where do traditions come from?
it gives color anmd is good too
Posted by tango at November 20th, 2007, 4:13 ammarshmallows are good for you also
low in fat and high in taste
I was introduced to marshmallows on sweet potatoes my first year in the U.S. 44 years ago when I was instructed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for my boss and some of his business acquaintances - I didn’t even know what thanksgiving was. Apparently I did all right, but this is a dish I really despise. Sweet potatoes taste so good completely unadorned, and as for marshmallows, the only thing they are good for are toasting on the end of a twig over a camp fire!
Posted by Jimini at November 20th, 2007, 2:25 pmYou ask why and I ask why not?
Posted by Rose Brunkow at November 20th, 2007, 10:55 pm[...] Chew on That rails against the use of marshmallows on sweet potatoes. [...]
Posted by So Good Blog/News Round-Up 11/21 | So Good at November 21st, 2007, 10:29 amWow, Hillary! It seems you struck a chord with your question! There is so much family history and tradition mixed into Thanksgiving that the taste of the dishes almost (almost) doesn’t matter, just the ritual of the preparation and consumption. I happen to agree with you on the marshmallow issue. I am not a fan of sweet food. Desserts should be sugary sweet, not main courses. Besides, it just seems wrong to douse and perfectly nutritious and naturally sweet vegetable (can I call sweet potatoes a vegetable) with a fake poofy sugar substance.
Posted by Anna at November 21st, 2007, 4:06 pm[...] — click here and read an anti-marshmallow [...]
Posted by burningmarshmallows » Blog Archive » Marshmallows & Thanksgiving at November 26th, 2007, 8:53 pmEnough with trashing the marshmallows! please!
:)
Posted by burningmarshmallows at November 26th, 2007, 8:56 pmI admit that I do love marshmallows on sweet potatoes, but I also love them without. I just caught a Thanskgiving episode of Everybody Loves Raymond and Frank Barone asked Marie if she had put marshmallows on the sweet potatoes and then said “cause without them, it’s just a vegetable!” I love that.
Posted by mabs at November 29th, 2007, 7:05 pmI prefer my marshmallow toasted with a thick slice of softened dark chocolate and a graham cracker. Or in a rice crispy treat. I cannot stand them on top of sweet potatoes. Give me Nuts! Give me Brown Sugar! Give me anything but the dreaded evil marshmallow!
P.S. - My MIL uses excessive amounts of marshmallows and I pass on the sweet potatoes every time!
Posted by Messy Jessy at December 12th, 2007, 10:16 amI’m sorry you feel that way about marshmallows.
I like them that way on Thanksgiving. Tradition.
At other times of the year they are fine without the festive topping.
Posted by Karen Koziol at February 17th, 2008, 7:18 amI don’t know what ethnicity you are, but it is definitely a black southern classic to put marshmallows on sweet potatoes. Yes, sweet potatoes taste great with a little bit of butter, just like a white or red potato, but marshmallows add a little something special. It’s not a side dish you would prepare for an ordinary night, just like we don’t eat cranberry sauce on an ordinary night. I prefer, on regular ocassions, to eat dried cranberries but alas it is a tradition….
Posted by Yaya at November 25th, 2008, 12:36 pmMarshmallows added to this dish, over time, been assumed to be a “trashy” handling of this dish, which this article clearly feels. However, I agree with Karen and Yaya - this is a) a tradition built out of the history of American food in the south. Just like macaroni and cheese was never a glamor food, neither are candied yams.
The thing to note is this post is arguing for eating the sweet potatoe by itself. That’s great, but that’s not a candied yam. You can do that for your every day meal, bake it for a treat and sprinkle some cinnamon or god forbid some butter on it and leave it at that. But that’s not a candied yam.
What you’re really saying is adding extra sugars to yams offends you - so that would cover candied yams, sweet potato pie, and anything else that uses the yam in some other way.
But if you’re going to make a *CANDIED* yam, then candying is what you’re after. That means you want to *emphasize*, carmelize, and amplify the sweetness of the yams by turning them into a sticky, sweet, gooey concoction.
Which is exactly what adding marshmallows does. The key point, if you had them and were overpowered, is that some people use the marshmallows in different ways. Some people use a huge amount of sugar within the yams and then also top with marshmallows. This can be overkill. Also, some people let the marshmallows “melt down” and others only lightly brown them.
So the aversion you’re having could be that someone used marshmallows in combination with too much sugar with the yams themselves, or undercooked the marshmallows so you were basically eating puffed sugar on top of a yam dish.
It’s about balancing, and those who know how to cook the dish right know how to handle the ingredients to feature the yams and enhance them, rather than overpower and hide them.
This turkey day I’m cooking these bad boys with marshmallows, and a touch of brown sugar and butter. I let mine get caramelized and broken down, for a dense, chewy, crunchy flavor experience. And everyone I’ve ever cooked it for marvels that I used marshmallows - and loves it.
Posted by Miriam at November 26th, 2008, 7:53 pmHaha, I totally agree. Just say no to marshmallows!
Posted by gaga at December 6th, 2008, 2:26 pmI agree…NO marshmallows. I LOVE sweet potatoes, marshmallows are sacrilege!! That being said, wow, you sure started a ‘firestorm’ here. LOL!!
Posted by Carolina at December 9th, 2008, 7:33 amIts taste you see and I guess its just OK if you don`t eat it. :)
Posted by Tobi at December 23rd, 2009, 3:27 amIf you don`t like Marshmallows on sweet potatoes - thats fine. I`ve never eaten that. I would try it but I try to get away from too much sugar anyway! Don`t be too angry about it anyway. :)
Happy new year!
Tobi