Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potato

Cornelius

I tried growing this for the first time from some cuttings I got on Baker Creek. I planted them late so they didn't get as big as I was hoping, but I think I still got a decent yield. I am still deciding how I want to use them, but what do you all think?

LaurieLovesLearning

@Cornelius So is this truly a sweet potato or a purple yam (Ube)? We get those in our stores on occasion. They are very popular in the Filipino communities. Purple is very important in their culture. My one sister in law is Filipino.

I made a traditional cultural cake with it once, but omitted the addition of extra food coloring. Sadly, the color wasn't as spectacular as I had hoped. I have seen pictures of ice cream with these giving the color. That, and charcoal giving a black contrasting color. It looked pretty cool.

Here is where I started my search:

http://blog.junbelen.com/2010/05/25/purple-yam-why-filipinos-love-purple-sweet-treats/

So...you could look up Filipino recipes on this site for a unique cultural experience. The author has many authentic recipes.

JodieDownUnder

@Cornelius I've only grown the orange kind, never the Hawaiian purplè. Do they taste different? Im sure next growing season, you will get them in a little earlier and get more. Have you seen another sweet potato discussion, where they are grown in timber crates? Seemed ĺke a good idea and everything is contained, layer of compost, layer of straw etc.

I love baking them and tossing through a green salad. Cheers to you.

Cornelius

@LaurieLovesLearning I know Baker Creek said sweet potato, but it could also be a yam? I tried looking it up and the tubers look very similar. Based on the leaves that the vines had I think it is a sweet potato. https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/10/07/features/plant-of-the-month-uala-sweet-potato-perfect-for-growing-in-hawaii/#:~:text=And%2C%20it%20produces%20delicious%20tubers,is%20not%20nearly%20as%20invasive.

@jodienancarrow I have not tried it yet but I will post here when I do (I picked them yesterday because the temperature finally got low enough to kill the plant). I am hoping that they taste sweet though!

judsoncarroll4

I grew some heirloom sweet potatoes this year but I have no idea what they are - just some slips off of something I bought. I sure hope they produce, but if not... at least I can eat the greens. I only planted the rooting slips in late August.

Cornelius

@judsoncarroll4 That is awesome. I think I planted mine in July, but you should have at least a few small tubers if it is a fast grower.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/879624#Comment_879624

Sure hope so!

LaurieLovesLearning

@Cornelius ID is important. it sounds like you do have a sweet potato variety. Sorry for the confusion.

Here is how to tell the difference between Ube & purple sweet potato, if you are interested, and since I mentioned it. It even mentions the variety that you have.

https://www.friedas.com/the-ultimate-purple-sweet-potato-guide/

Merin Porter

I have a friend who lived in Hawaii for several years, and she serves something like this with meals from time to time. The purple sweet potato she serves is very sweet -- delicious steams and served with just butter. I'm wondering if these might be the same thing -- are these sweeter than the normal orange yams you find in the grocery store here in the States?

Cornelius

@LaurieLovesLearning It's all good. From the picture they look identical (especially since they didn't reach maturity) so I completely understand. The Ube sounds cool though so I will have to look into it!

@Merin Porter I believe they are supposed to be sweeter than the orange. They are also a super food! I am planning on making some into a pie and I will post how it goes here.

happy-trails

Nice harvest! I am planning to grow these next year. As far as recipe ideas, I am curious about using it to make a purple sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving, or maybe a homemade bubble tea or ice cream! It would become a beautiful lavender color if blended with some cream and garlic for a unique winter soup! Mashed and cooked with Thai sticky rice in sweetened coconut milk is another yummy idea!

JodieDownUnder

@Cornelius

https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2018/05/03/homemade-potato-crates/

This was the link I was looking for, re growing sweet potato in crates. Thought it might be helpful

Cornelius

@happy-trails Those all sound delicious. Don't forget to save some back to grow for next season and take some cuttings!

@jodienancarrow Thank you I will have to keep that crate idea in mind. I used a 1 gallon pot this year and will definitely give it more space to grow next season.

blevinandwomba

Well, if they are like the Japanese purple sweet potatoes, they will be a sweeter than the orange and have a denser texture. I think the taste is a lot like yellow sweet potatoes (not white sweet potatoes)- less "vegetable" than the orange and more, I don't know, "nutty?" It's a much more delicate flavor. They're splendid for all sorts of desserts.

My sister has brought home from Japan these really lovely little teacakes fill with purple sweet potato. Last year a local grocery store starting carry the purples, so I tried to replicate the filling myself, and just mashing( with a little coconut milk I think?) and sweetening it did the trick. The pie idea sounds wonderful.

Merin Porter

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/879763#Comment_879763

I'll be those are the same ones, then. Do keep us posted on how the pie goes! :)