Information

2013.02.12

“Daigaku Imo” : Japanese Fried Sweet Potatoes, Children’s Favorite Snack

Sweet potato is a type of vegetable which helps create energy for the body. It is packed with vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin E and Calcium. Vitamin C in sweet potatoes is not easily destroyed when exposed to heat. Therefore, sweet potatoes help prevent cold. Besides, they are rich in dietary fiber which helps clean up the intestinal tract and prevent lifestyle related diseases.

This snack is easy to cook, and it only takes 20 minutes to make a favorite snack of people of all ages. The ingredients which must be prepared are:

Sweet potatoes　　　 　 3 heads (600-700 g)
Sugar　　　　　　　　 　4-5 tablespoons (as prefer)
Vegetable oil　　　　　   5 tablespoons
White or black sesame　1-2 tablespoons (as prefer)

How to Cook
1) Rinse the sweet potatoes and cut them into slant, bite-sized pieces (slant pieces allow the sweet potatoes to be cooked faster).
2) Rinse and dry them using tissue or towel.
3) Pour vegetable oil in the pan. Use moderate heat to heat up the oil. Then, put the potatoes which have been cut up in the pan.
4) Sprinkle sugar on the potatoes. Close the lid for approximately 3 minutes.
5) Open the lid. Flip the potatoes and close the lid for about 3 more minutes.
6) Remove the lid and keep flipping the potatoes every 2-3 minutes until they turn light brown.
7) Put the potatoes on a plate. Sprinkle them with white or black sesame as prefer.

Eating it warm together with Sencha「煎茶」 will allow the body to fully get vitamin C and catechin. This snack offers double benefits, both deliciousness and good health.