Sweet Potato Ball

Sweet potato ball is a dish comprising ball shaped sweets which are prepared by using sweet potatoes as one of the main ingredients. These balls are commonly made as a part of the Asian cuisine and are usually served as a dessert. Many sweet potato ball recipes are also common in Southern American cuisine; however, the balls are mostly served as an appetizer and are savory in taste contrary to their Asian counterparts.

Ingredients and Preparation

For preparing sweet potato balls, the potatoes are baked in an oven until soft. Once done, the peel is removed and the potatoes are mashed and combined with other ingredients. The ingredients used for combining with sweet potato mixture usually vary and range from sweet to salted ingredients. For example, when sweet potato balls are made for serving as a dessert, the mashed potatoes are mixed with vanilla extract, cinnamon powder, sugar , maple syrup or fruit juices. On the other hand, for making savory sweet potato balls, spices, seasoning and meat are some of the commonly used ingredients.

The mixture is prepared and shaped into balls and then the balls are cooked either by steaming, baking, frying or refrigerating as per the recipe directions.

Serving

Sweet potato balls are often served as a dessert. These balls are either served warm dipped in sugar solution or after refrigerating and rolling over crushed nuts.

When served as an appetizer, these balls are served warm garnished with parsley and mint. Spicy dips are served with these balls and they are often relished with soups and hot beverages.

Variations

• Spiced Sweet Potato Ball – Grated nutmeg, cinnamon, sea salt, orange juice, maple syrup and toasted pecans are the commonly uses ingredients besides sweet potatoes, for making sweet potato balls. Once the potatoes are baked and mashed, a firm mixture is prepared, which is formed into balls and refrigerated. Once done, the balls are baked by placing on pineapple slices and served topped with whipped cream.

• Onde Onde – It is sweet Malaysian treat which is made using sweet potatoes, tapioca flour, glutinous flour and water. The potatoes are mashed and combined with other ingredients. Once ready, gula Melaka, a form of palm sugar is placed in the center and the balls are made. The prepared balls are placed in boiling water and then coated with desiccated coconut. These balls are served after they have cooled down.

• Khanom Kai Nok Kra Ta – It is a Thai name for deep fried sweet potato balls which are commonly served as afternoon snack. Easily available as street side food, these balls brown and crunchy and resemble quail’s eggs. The potatoes are first steamed, then mixed with other ingredients and once the mixture is prepared, shaped into balls and deep fried.

• Bubur Biji Salak – These are popular Indonesian sweet potato balls which are served commonly for breaking the fast in Ramadan. This dish is easily available at Indonesian street side stalls all the year round and is served topped with coconut milk.