Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Just a quick recipe this week that can be a healthy side at your Thanksgiving meal. With all the complicated foods that can be part of the meal prep, this one is thankfully straight-forward and simple with just chopping taking up most of the time. Truthfully though, we eat this dish all winter long because it’s so tasty that it’s kind of addictive actually. The garlic is really what makes it so special so add as many cloves as you like, and any kind of sweet potato works, including the ones called yams.

Before cooking

After cooking

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Leeks and Garlic

4 sweet potatoes

1 large leek

at least 6 garlic cloves but as many as you want

olive oil to cover

black pepper to taste

sea salt or seasoning salt to taste (I use the seasoning salt and it’s also really delicious with eggs, fish, and any vegetable dishes.)

Preheat oven to 425. Cut the sweet potatoes up into bite size pieces and spread on an oiled cookie sheet or use parchment paper. Spread the cut up leek on top of the sweet potatoes and place the garlic cloves all around. Pour olive oil over the veggies, just enough so each bit has been touched with the oil. There’s no need to saturate the veggies though b/c stirring will help get the oil everywhere throughout the cooking time. Salt and pepper over the entire pan sparingly b/c you can always add more afterwards. I’ve always found the garlic and the slight caramelizing that happens with the veggies in olive oil during the cooking process give more than enough flavor and have never needed to add more seasoning afterwards. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, stirring two or three times at ten minute intervals. You’ll know it’s done when the sweet potatoes are soft and there are a few brown bits on the leeks. This is also a great breakfast/brunch dish with a fried egg or two, or can be spread on a tortilla after smashing with a fork (cook for longer time for softest veggies), add cheese and have yourself a nutrient-packed vegetable quesadilla.

For those celebrating, have a great Thanksgiving. Celebrating gratitude is indeed a beautiful thing, though Thanksgiving can bring about many other feelings for people rather than thankfulness~ holiday stress, food stress, family stress, and financial stress. I hope it’s stress free for you and yours and if it does cause anxiety, reach for help and don’t be afraid to say no to traditions and expectations that aren’t resonating for you anymore.

Take care and may your season be happy, healthy, and filled with light.