Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 4
Discover the primitive charm of Ash-Roasted Sweet Potatoes, an ancient cooking technique that roasts tubers directly in hot embers and ash. 🔥🌍 This method caramelizes the natural sugars in sweet potatoes, giving them a deep, smoky flavor with a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Popular in traditional cuisines from Japan’s yaki-imo to Middle Eastern open-fire cooking, this simple yet dramatic method brings out the best in this humble root vegetable.
Ingredients
- For the Sweet Potatoes:
☑ 4 medium sweet potatoes (unpeeled) 🍠
☑ Olive oil for drizzling (optional) 🫒
☑ A pinch of sea salt 🧂 - For Toppings (Optional):
☑ Butter or ghee 🧈
☑ Crumbled feta or goat cheese 🧀
☑ Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or chives) 🌿
☑ A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice 🍋
☑ A dash of smoked paprika or chili flakes for heat 🌶️
👩🍳 Cooking Steps
🔥 Step 1: Build Your Fire
1️⃣ Create a wood fire outdoors in a fire pit, grill, or fireplace.
2️⃣ Let the fire burn until you have a bed of hot embers with minimal flames—this can take about 30–45 minutes.
🍠 Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
1️⃣ Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly but leave the skins on.
2️⃣ Pat them dry—no need to oil or season before roasting.
🔥 Step 3: Roast in the Ashes
1️⃣ Use tongs to carefully nestle the sweet potatoes directly into the hot embers and ash.
2️⃣ Cover them slightly with more embers to ensure even roasting.
3️⃣ Roast for 30–45 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes.
4️⃣ Turn occasionally using tongs to char all sides evenly.
✨ Step 4: Check for Doneness
1️⃣ Insert a skewer or knife into the center—it should glide in easily when fully cooked.
2️⃣ The skins will be blackened and crispy, but the inside will be soft, sweet, and smoky.
🍋 Step 5: Peel, Top, & Serve
1️⃣ Remove the sweet potatoes from the embers and let them cool slightly.
2️⃣ Peel back the charred skins to reveal the golden, tender flesh inside.
3️⃣ Drizzle with olive oil, add a pinch of sea salt, and top with butter, cheese, herbs, or a squeeze of citrus for an extra flavor kick.
Smoky, caramelized, and naturally sweet—Ash-Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a rustic, nutrient-packed delight that connects you to the raw essence of fire and earth. 🍠🔥
