Vibrant purple sweet potato mash is the perfect side dish. Slightly sweet and packed with nutrients, these Okinawan sweet potatoes will have you coming back for more.
Every stellar main dish should have an amazing side dish. Just like every superhero needs its side kick. Well this purple sweet potato mash is that side dish.
Vibrant purple hues, slightly sweet, and packed with nutrients. And best of all it’s simple to make. Just a few ingredients and under 30 minutes will give you a delicious side dish to serve alongside lū’au stew, kālua pig, laulau, or miso glazed salmon.
Sweet potatoes are thought to have originated from Central or South America. The purple sweet potatoes made their way to Hawai’i by early Polynesia settlers and have become a staple in Hawaiian food.
There are two main types of purple sweet potatoes: white/tan skin with a purple flesh or purple skin with purple flesh.
Okinawan sweet potatoes have a white/tan skin and purple flesh and can be found locally grown here in Hawai’i.
Another popular variety in Hawai’i are Moloka’i sweet potatoes. These sweet potatoes have purple skin and purple flesh. The DeCoite family has been harvesting these potatoes on Moloka’i since the 1960s.
If you are on the mainland you can find the Stokes variety of purple sweet potato at many grocery stores.
Ingredients for purple sweet potato mash
- Purple sweet potatoes. Use any variety you wish.
- Heavy cream. Purple sweet potatoes tend to be drier and starchier. Adding heavy cream helps bring moisture and creaminess to the dish.
- Unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, omit the extra added salt.
- Salt
Is sweet potato mash healthy?
Purple sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
How to cook purple sweet potatoes?
These potatoes can be boiled or steamed to make mashed potatoes. You can also bake, broil, or fry.
Are sweet potatoes keto friendly?
Sweet potatoes are naturally high in carbohydrates and are often excluded from keto friendly diets.
Tips for the perfect sweet potato mash
- Avoid using an electric mixer to mash the potatoes. This will cause too much starch to be released from the potatoes and result in a gummy texture.
- Add the heavy cream in batches. The starchiness and dryness of each potato varies and the amount of liquid needed may vary.
How to store purple sweet potato mash?
Once potatoes have cooled, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. This will keep for 3-5 days.
Can you freeze Okinawan sweet potato mash?
You bet. Once cooled, place in a zip to bag or airtight container and store in the freezer. This will keep for up to 6 months.
How to reheat?
If frozen, defrost in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Reheat in the microwave, in the oven, or on the stove top. You may need to add a little more liquid if it has dried out. You can opt to add a little more heavy whipping cream. If that is too rich you can use a little bit of water.
Other great side dishes to check out
How to make purple sweet potato mash?
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
- For steaming: Fill a large pot with about an inch of water. Place the steamer basket in the pot and fill with cubed up potatoes. Cover and steam the potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until fork tender.
- For boiling: Fill a large pot with water and set over high heat. Once water has come to a rolling boil, add about a teaspoon of salt per liter of water. Place potatoes into the pot and boil for 12-15 minutes or until fork tender.
- Remove the steamer basket from the pot and drain excess water.
- Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl. Add heavy cream, butter, and a pinch of salt. Using a potato masher, mash until smooth and well combined. ENJOY!
Purple Sweet Potato Mash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound purple sweet potato
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt
Instructions
- Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
- For steaming: Fill a large pot with about an inch of water. Place the steamer basket in the pot and fill with cubed up potatoes. Cover and steam the potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until fork tender.
- For boiling: Fill a large pot with water and set over high heat. Once water has come to a rolling boil, add about a teaspoon of salt per liter of water. Place potatoes into the pot and boil for 12-15 minutes or until fork tender.
- Remove the steamer basket from the pot and drain excess water.
- Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl. Add heavy cream, butter, and a pinch of salt. Using a potato masher, mash until smooth and well combined. ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
© Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!
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Aloha Relle, thank you fr this, I love purple sweet potato. I was wondering if you’ve ever used coconut cream vs. heavy cream for this recipe? Would it be the same ratio? I would love to try it.
Aloha Flo. I have not sorry. Start with less and add as you go. Let me know how it goes if you try it.
I used coconut cream in place of the heavy cream and it worked great. I didn’t necessarily measure the amount used, as I just went little by little until my ancestors told me to stop and it was the consistency and flavor I liked. Another great recipe Relle!
Mahalo for sharing
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Thank you so much for this amazing purple sweet potato mash recipe! Will surely have this again, it tasted really good and super easy to make! Highly recommended!
Awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing!!
Such a beautiful side dish. I bet my guests will be so surprised when they see PURPLE mashed potatoes!
Right?! Hope they enjoy. Thank you.
Oh my kiddos would love this!!
That was delicious. I will make this mash again for sure. Thanks
At Down To Earth they add dill and it’s really ono. I usually don’t care for dill but it goes well with Purple potato. I’ve only used mayo, but will try it with the heavy cream. I love all your recipes because it reminds me of small kid time. Keep up the good work. Mahalo!
Aloha Clair. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
Thank you for sharing your recipe- I just made it today (first time ever having purple sweet potatoes) and it is delicious!
Aloha Erica. Thank you for sharing. Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Have a great day.