Surprise Sweet Potatoes
A delightful sweet potato dish topped with apricots, pecans, and a citrus-spiced sauce, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family dinners with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain apricots, reserving the liquid.
- Combine brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and orange rind in a bowl.
- Blend the mixture well.
- Gradually add apricot syrup, stirring constantly.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add apricots, butter, and pecans; stir until butter is melted.
- Halve the sweet potatoes and arrange them in a lightly greased 1-1/2-quart shallow baking dish.
- Pour the apricot sauce over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake uncovered in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 25 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon. If you don't have pecans, walnuts can be a great substitute. Make sure to use firm sweet potatoes to hold their shape during baking. For a touch of acidity, a splash of lemon juice can brighten the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these surprise sweet potatoes as a delicious side dish during holiday meals or gatherings. They pair beautifully with roasted meats or a fresh Raw Vegetable Salad for a balanced meal. For a complete dinner, consider adding Barbecue Beef(8 To 20 Servings) as the main course.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the sweet potatoes in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. This will help maintain their texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Surprise Sweet Potatoes contains roughly 593 calories, with 2g protein, 99g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is a good source of calcium (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1340mg per serving (58% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh sweet potatoes. Simply peel, cube, and boil them until tender before following the rest of the recipe. This will give you a fresher taste and texture.
What can I substitute for brown sugar?
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with a mix of white sugar and molasses. For each cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup of white sugar plus 1 tablespoon of molasses. This will replicate the caramel flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, this recipe is suitable for vegetarian diets as it contains no meat or animal byproducts aside from butter. You can easily replace the butter with a plant-based alternative if you want a vegan version.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).