Autumn 2006 Newsletter
Grilled Sweet Potatoes

The Sweet Potato is not only a high-power food that is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and nutrients.  It also makes for a super easy side dish that’s perfect for grilling on a crisp Fall night.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound sweet potatoes

• 1/4 cup honey – or – 3 tablespoons brown sugar (could substitute Splenda brown sugar) and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 stick butter (or margarine)

PREPARATION: 10 minutes

Preheat grill.  Wash sweet potatoes, making sure to cut off any bad spots.  Cut the potatoes into 1/2 inch slices and place them on the grill for 8-10 minutes on one side.  Soften the butter and mix it with either honey or the brown sugar/cinnamon blend and spread the mixture over each slice of potato and turn.  Continue grilling for another 6-8 minutes.  Turn and add more of your sweet spread.  Continue grilling until the butter becomes bubbly and the potatoes take on a grilled/caramelized appearance.  Serve warm.
Sweet Potatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, a nutrient that is not only crucial for healthy skin tone, but also improves night vision.  Your body converts Beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is why dermatologists often prescribe vitamin A topical treatments for acne.  Sweet potatoes are known as power vegetables because they have unique root storage proteins that provide super high levels of anti-oxidants that help the body to eliminate free radicals.  Research shows that sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, C, manganese, copper, fiber, B6, potassium and iron which help to stabilize blood sugars, reduce inflammation in the body, reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, emphysema, asthma, colon cancer and arthritis.