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Purple Sweet Potato Mash

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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.

close up of purple sweet potato mash

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.

purple sweet potato mash in a white bowl

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
purple sweet potato mash ingredients

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

spoon scooping purple sweet potato mash

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?

  1. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Remove the steamer basket from the pot and drain excess water. 
  5. 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!
close up of purple sweet potato mash

Purple Sweet Potato Mash

Relle Lum
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.
4.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Sides
Cuisine Local
Servings 4 servings
Calories 204 kcal

Ingredients
  

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

*Tip: Avoid using an electric mixer to mash potatoes. This will release too much starch and give the mashed potatoes a gummy texture.
*Add the heavy whipping cream in batches until you get the right consistency that you like. Each potato will vary in starch and dryness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 191mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8g
Keyword keeping it relle, okinawan sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, purple sweet potato, purple sweet potato mash, side dish, sweet potato mash, sweet potatoes
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purple sweet potato mash

By on September 19th, 2021

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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13 thoughts on “Purple Sweet Potato Mash”

  1. 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.

    Reply
  2. 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!

    Reply
  3. 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!

    Reply

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