Mark Bittman on the Sweet Potato

In his column in today’s New York Times, Mark Bittman wrote about one of nature’s coziest vegetables, the sweet potato. I think this particular recipe for Stir-Fried Sweet Potatoes With Brown Butter and Sage looks especially mouth watering and soul soothing. I’m going to give it a try tomorrow night.

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and grated, 4 to 6 cups
Salt and pepper
1/2 stick butter, more to taste
4 cloves garlic, crushed
20 sage leaves.

1. Put oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add sweet potatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring only occasionally, until they change color and begin to brown, then stir more frequently until they are tender but not at all mushy.

2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sage; shake pan occasionally. When butter turns brown, turn off heat.

3. Use tongs to remove sage and garlic from butter. Serve potatoes drizzled with butter and garnished with a few sage leaves. Garlic can be served alongside, though it will not be super-soft.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.