Cube Sweet Potatoes

If you're trying to include more sweet potatoes in your diet, you should know how to cube them. Cutting sweet potatoes into small pieces increases their surface area. If you plan on roasting, a larger surface area will help them caramelize. Once you've safely cubed sweet potatoes, you could also steam, microwave, saute, or simmer them.

Steps

Cutting the Sweet Potato Into Cubes

1. Sharpen your knife. Take a large chef's knife and check to see if the blade is sharp. Use a honing steel to slightly bend the blade back into realignment. Or you can use an electric or mechanical knife sharpener to smooth your blade until it's sharp again.
   • To tell if your knife is dull, hold a large piece of paper and slice directly through it. Ensure that the knife is pointing away from you as you slice. If the knife can't slice through the paper, you need to sharpen it.
2. Secure your cutting board. Keep your cutting board from sliding around as you cube the sweet potatoes. Wet a small kitchen cloth or towel and wring it out so it's completely damp. Lay this on your work surface and place the cutting board directly on the cloth. It will hold your cutting board in place.
   • Avoid using glass cutting boards which can damage your knives. They're also more likely to slip around as you cut.
3. Peel the sweet potato (optional). If you plan on steaming or simmering the cubed sweet potato, you may want to peel it before cubing it. Otherwise, the skin will just add a little texture. Use a vegetable peeler to slice away the sweet potato skins.
   • Keep in mind that the sweet potato may become slippery and harder to handle once you've peeled it.
4. Cut the sweet potato in half. Lay the sweet potato on the cutting board and slice it in half (across the round center of the sweet potato). You should now have two equal halves of sweet potato, each with a flat end.
5. Cut each sweet potato half into slices. Set each sweet potato half on the cutting board so it's standing up on the flat end. This will create a sturdy base for cutting the sweet potato. Take your sharp knife and slice down to create even slices. The slices should be as wide as you'd like the cubes to end up being. Do this for the other sweet potato half as well.
6. Cut the slices into strips. Lay the slices down on their sides so the flat part is resting on the cutting board. Cut the slices into even strips. The strips should be as thick as you'd like the cubes to end up being.
7. Turn the strips and cut them into cubes. Turn the strips of sweet potato about 90 degrees and cut them into more strips. This will create cubes. Continue to cut the sweet potato strips until you've cubed all of them.

Using the Cubed Sweet Potato

1. Steam the sweet potato. Set up a steamer basket in a pot that has a few inches of simmering water. Place the cubed sweet potatoes into the steamer basket. Put the lid on the pot and steam the sweet potatoes for about 7 minutes. They should be completely tender once they've finished cooking.
2. Saute the sweet potato cubes. Heat a little butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add small sweet potato cubes and stir them well. Cook and stir the sweet potato cubes for 5 to 6 minutes so they become crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Season the sweet potato cubes with a little salt and pepper.
   • You can add a chopped onion to the pan to give the sweet potato cubes extra flavor.
3. Roast the sweet potato cubes with herbs. Spread the cubed sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and season them however you'd like. For example, toss them with honey, fresh herbs, and salt. Bake them in the oven until they've caramelized and become slightly crisp on the outside.
4. Microwave the cubes. Arrange the sweet potato cubes on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Place a few spoonfuls of water in the bottom of the dish and put it in the microwave. Heat the sweet potato cubes for 2 to 3 minutes. Check the cubes to see if they're tender. If not, heat them for another minute or two until they're soft.
   • Use caution when removing the dish from the microwave since it will be hot.
5. Simmer the sweet potato in soups. Add instant color and a slightly sweet flavor to spicy foods by stirring in cubed sweet potatoes. Simmer the sweet potato cubes in your favorite vegetable soup or curry until they're soft.
   • You can also boil the cubed sweet potatoes in water until they're soft. Drain the water and mash the sweet potatoes until they're fluffy.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Cloth or kitchen towel
• Cutting board

Sources and Citations

See also

• Follow a Recipe when You Don't Have All the Ingredients
• Make a Citrus Glaze (for Baking)
• Wash a Grapefruit
• Pan Fry
• Make Stocks for Soups and Sauces
• Substitute Commonly Used Ingredients
• Cook Sponge Cucumber
• Boil Artichokes
• Prepare and Eat Strawberries
• Make Half‐Popped Popcorn

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