It’s no secret that sweet potatoes are a darling of the nutrition world and this recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes couldn’t make eating this starchy vegetable more tasty and simple.
These starchy carbs are a great source of vitamin C and manganese and a good source of copper and vitamin B5. Manganese is a trace mineral that doesn’t get enough attention. It’s important for fat and carbohydrate metabolism, bone development, wound healing, and collagen production. It’s also a cofactor for many important enzymes.
You may have heard sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A. Technically, this isn’t true. Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, a fat-soluble plant pigment that converts to vitamin A in the body, although conversion isn’t very efficient in many people. That’s why it’s so important to get true vitamin A from foods like liver and grass-fed butter. However, beta-carotene is anti-inflammatory and cancer protective, so keep eating those orange-colored vegetables and be sure to pair them with a little fat, such as coconut oil and grass-fed butter. Studies show that consuming beta-carotene-rich foods with 3-5 grams of fat helps increase your uptake of this inflammation-fighting plant pigment.
Sweet potatoes are a staple in my kitchen as they are a quick and easy way to add fiber, flavor, and nutrients to any meal. They are versatile and pair well with most spices and cuisines. I served the roasted sweet potatoes with Lamb Meatballs with Muhammara and a Spring Herb Salad.
Here’s what you need:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch discs (you can peel your potatoes, but I like to leave the skin on for extra vitamins!)
- 1 T coconut oil and/or grass-fed butter
- 1/2 t smoked paprika
- Sea salt, to taste
- Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Here’s what you do:
- Preheat your oven to a high broil and set the rack about 6 inches from the top.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pile your sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and toss with the cooking fat, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Make sure all of the sweet potatoes are evenly coated, then spread them out in a single layer on your baking sheet (you may need two baking sheets for this).
- Place the sweet potatoes in the oven and broil for about 15-18 minutes, flipping each sweet potato halfway through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon zest.
