Mashed sweet potatoes with candied walnuts are the perfect blend of holiday flavors. Add this recipe as a side dish for your next family gathering. The sweet potatoes in this dish pack vitamin C and carotenoids. Walnuts are a heart-healthy contribution, too!
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds sweet potatoes (2 large), peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
1 cup walnut halves or pieces
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large pot, add sweet potatoes, water, and salt. Cook sweet potatoes covered, over medium high heat until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, stir together honey, sugar, whiskey, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a slow boil. Add walnut halves and stir to coat. Simmer for 5 minutes while stirring until syrup begins to bubble and turn a light brown color. Remove from heat and drain the liquid through a strainer. Place the walnuts on the cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and spread into one layer. Place in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. Watch the walnuts closely so they don’t burn!
When the sweet potatoes are cooked through, reserve ¼ cup cooking liquid, and then drain potatoes in a colander. Transfer sweet potatoes and cooking liquid to a bowl and mash. Add butter and continue to mash until desired consistency.
When the walnuts are done, remove from the oven and allow to cool before mixing in with the mashed potatoes.
Recipe from the Lipscomb Senior Students in the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
