# Am I the only one who like their sweet potatoes UNSWEETENED? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 24, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997 "2018-11-24T03:01:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/21 "2018-11-24T14:07:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > They’re called _sweet_ potatoes. Why add sugar to them? Probably because they aren’t _that_ sweet compared to fruits. Someone probably ate one once and expected more sweetness and said “now I’ll show you some SWEET potatoes!” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/22 "2018-11-24T15:32:04Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > The only way I like them sweetened is in sweet potato pie. This, too. As I tell people, my favorite “pumpkin” pie is sweet potato pie. I’ll have to try your recipe one of these days. Mine is basically just spiced like pumpkin pie, but I’m intrigued by the addition of soy sauce and the three gingers, two fresh, one candied, none dried. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/23 "2018-11-24T15:37:18Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I don’t personally believe they belong anywhere near me. I can’t think of a single example where marshmallows bring anything useful to a dish. I can’t even stand them in my hot chocolate. Yes, yes. ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/24 "2018-11-24T16:22:16Z")
Sweet potatoes on their own are right at the limit of being too sweet for dinner anyway. I shudder to think about even tasting one with marshmallows or added sugar. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/25 "2018-11-24T16:31:12Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Yes, yes. Well, they kind of belong in that most awkward to make and eat dish s’mores, of course. But that’s about it. And s’mores, honestly, aren’t that great to begin with, but fun to relive camping memories. (Though my family didn’t do those. We roasted smoked Polish sausage on a stick. Much better.) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/26 "2018-11-24T17:08:53Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I can’t think of a single example where marshmallows bring anything useful to a dish. What about Rice Krispies Treats? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/27 "2018-11-24T17:20:43Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > What about Rice Krispies Treats? :smack: Oh, good call! Yes, they are worthy in those. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/28 "2018-11-24T17:24:49Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > What about Rice Krispies Treats? You can have my share. I’m not gonna touch them. The same thing applies to [the abomination that is AMBROSIA.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrosia_(fruit_salad)) It’s a damn shame when good fruit starts hanging out with a bad crowd. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/29 "2018-11-24T17:27:05Z")
I don’t particularly like sweet potatoes to begin with. I’ll generally skip them unsweetened. Sweetening them is just a way to make them even worse IMO. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/30 "2018-11-24T17:39:53Z")
I’d be fine with sweet potatoes either as fries or made just like white mashed potatoes, but my husband doesn’t like them in those forms, so we have sweet potato soufflé instead - a savory dish made with milk and eggs of course, and with gruyere cheese, garlic, shallots and a bit of thyme added. Makes a very attractive and delicious holiday dish. Sweet potato pie is also a very fine addition to the holiday table, but that comes after the main meal. I don’t want sweet stuff before then, at all. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/31 "2018-11-24T17:51:11Z")
Almost all year, I eat 'em with butter and salt and nothing else; they’re the perfect side for pork chops, or make a pretty good main course, with sufficient salad, if we’re eating vegetarian. On Thanksgiving, my diabetic mom who almost never cooks with sugar makes the sweet-potato-and-marshmallow extravaganza, and it’s beautiful and delicious for a meal and for leftovers. Both have their place. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/32 "2018-11-24T18:06:06Z")
Butter and salt will do fine. I like sweet potatoes with sour cream or cottage cheese too. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/33 "2018-11-24T18:52:54Z")
S’mores are overrated, but the plain toasted marshmallow is good. And I happen to like ambrosia, if by that you mean the dessert of fruit and marshmallows tossed in whipped cream. Now, what’s really easy to overload on is divinity fudge: I can only eat about one piece the size of a fingertip of that per year. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/34 "2018-11-24T19:54:19Z")
You can make s’mores with almost no equipment, and it’s simple enough that even young children can do it. I think they make many people nostalgic because they call up childhood memories of family and friends around a campfire. This probably accounts for their popularity. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/35 "2018-11-24T23:41:47Z")
> [@simster](#): > > All we do is bake them - smash them - add a little butter and salt/pepper - cinnamon if I’m feeling particularly festive. I hate “candied yams” which is what I grew up thinking sweet potatoes were. This is what I do, which isn’t that much different than how I would eat other types of potatoes (except for the occasional cinnamon). ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/36 "2018-11-25T01:42:05Z")
The only thing I put on my baked sweet potatoes is butter and a little salt. If I want to do something fancier with sweet potatoes, I’m cutting them into french fries, frying them, and dousing them in a savory cajun-style gravy. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/37 "2018-11-25T02:16:40Z")
What about those bright orange sweet potato disc deals they sell in the store usually in the meat department. Do they still sell those? I remember my grandmother would fry them, sprinkle them with powdered sugar then drizzle them with honey. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/38 "2018-11-25T02:28:53Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > What about those bright orange sweet potato disc deals they sell in the store usually in the meat department. Do they still sell those? I remember my grandmother would fry them, sprinkle them with powdered sugar then drizzle them with honey. I’ve never seen this. Maybe it’s a regional thing. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/39 "2018-11-25T04:38:46Z")
I eat sweet potatoes the same way I eat regular potatoes. I like them baked, with some butter on them. I sometimes put sour cream on them. I usually skip the salt and pepper. I’ve also eaten sweet potato fries and I put ketchup on those. A few weeks ago, I sliced a sweet potato up into discs, drizzled barbecue sauce on them, and roasted them in the oven. It tasted pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997/40 "2018-11-25T06:16:47Z")
I like sweet potatoes natural and glazed/sweetened. In fact, I have never had a sweet potato dish I didn’t like, although I am not gloriously fond of the ones using orange juice as the sweetener. Recently, I am more likely to bake a sweet potato than a regular spud. They are wonderfully good hot with salt and butter. And sweet potato fries are an obsession. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-like-their-sweet-potatoes-unsweetened/824997.md?page=3)