Nutrition at a Glance
Sweet potato is packed with important vitamins and minerals. Sweet potatoes are rich in fibre, which helps release energy slowly, keeping you active for a long time. Fibre also helps in smooth digestion and prevents constipation. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and various antioxidants that help your body build strong immunity.
Know More: Sweet Potato
Type of Plant
Root vegetable (specifically, a tuberous root)
Plant Characteristics
- Sweet potato grows as a creeping vine with heart-shaped or lobed leaves.
- The edible part is a swollen root.
- The plant produces trumpet-shaped flowers, similar to morning glory flowers.
The Crop
- Grown mainly as a kharif crop.
- Grows best in warm climates, coastal belts and river plains where soil is loose and well-drained.
- In India, it is grown in Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Interesting Biological Facts
- Sweet potatoes are dicots, meaning their seeds have two embryonic leaves.
- The edible root stores food for the plant, helping it survive unfavourable conditions.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Sweet potatoes are not actually related to regular potatoes.
- The leaves of the sweet potato plant are also edible.
- One medium sweet potato can give you more than your daily requirement of vitamin A.
CRUNCHY SWEET POTATO CHAAT
INGREDIENTS
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- ¼ cup boiled chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onionsÂ
- 2 tablespoons roasted crushed peanuts
- ¼ cup fresh curd
- 1 tablespoon green chutney
- 1 tablespoon tamarind chutney
- ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin (jeera) powder
- ¼ teaspoon black salt (adjust to taste)Â
- ¼ teaspoon chaat masala
- 1 tablespoon fresh coriander (for garnishing)
- 2 teaspoons pomegranate seeds (for garnishing)
METHOD
- Boil the sweet potatoes, peel them and chop them into small bite-sized pieces.
- For extra protein, add boiled chickpeas to the sweet potato pieces. Â
- Mix in chopped tomatoes and onions.
- Add roasted crushed peanuts for a nice crunch.
- Whisk the curd until smooth.
- Now add the curd, green chutney and tamarind chutney.
- Sprinkle jeera powder, black salt and chaat masala.
- Mix everything gently until well combined.Â
- Top with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds.
- Your delicious, crunchy, sweet potato chaat is ready to be served.
Warning: Ask a parent or adult to help with this recipe.Â
Amit Gupta, also known as FitChefAmit, is a child nutritionist and health educator. He works with parents and children to simplify nutrition and healthy cooking, making healthy eating fun for kids and easy for parents. He also conducts interactive and impactful nutrition and cooking workshops for children and parents, including sessions at schools. He can be reached @FitChefAmit on Instagram and Youtube and via e-mail at [email protected]
