Sweet Potatoes With Sour Cream and Pecans

Published Nov. 18, 2020

Sweet Potatoes With Sour Cream and Pecans
Lucy Schaeffer for The New York Times (Photography and Styling)
Total Time
1½ hours
Rating
4(339)
Comments
Read comments

Soft at the center, caramelized at the edges and warmly spiced from the garam masala, these roasted sweet potatoes get a tangy bite from lime-spiked sour cream, while toasted pecans add crunch. You can make the lime sour cream up to four hours ahead. Simply pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving, and let it come to room temperature before drizzling it over the potatoes.

Featured in: Even the Littlest Helping Hands Can Make Thanksgiving

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe
  • Print Options


Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:6 servings
  • 2tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil
  • 2pounds sweet potatoes (4 to 5 medium potatoes), scrubbed but not peeled
  • 1teaspoon garam masala (or curry powder)
  • ¾teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • Large pinch of black pepper
  • ½cup sour cream
  • 1teaspoon fresh lime juice, plus more for serving
  • 1 to 3tablespoons whole milk, for thinning the sauce
  • 1tablespoon lime zest
  • cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (see Note)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

251 calories; 12 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 327 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. If your coconut oil is solid, place it in a small saucepan over low heat. Let it melt, stirring with a wooden spoon. (No need to heat liquid coconut oil or olive oil.)

  2. Step 2

    Cut each sweet potato in half lengthwise, then slice each half lengthwise into 3 or 4 wedges, about ¾-inch thick.

  3. Step 3

    Put the sweet potato wedges in a large bowl and add the coconut oil, garam masala, ¾ teaspoon salt and the pinch of pepper, tossing everything so the potatoes are well coated.

  4. Step 4

    Spread the potatoes in an even layer on a large baking sheet. (Lining the pan with parchment paper will make clean up easier, but it’s not necessary.) Roast, using tongs to carefully turn the potatoes after 30 minutes, until soft and caramelized, about 1 hour.

  5. Step 5

    While the sweet potatoes are roasting, make the lime sour cream: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lime juice and a pinch of salt. Whisk in enough milk (by the teaspoon) to make a pourable sauce. It should be a bit thicker than heavy cream. Taste and add more salt and lime juice as needed. Set aside.

  6. Step 6

    Once the sweet potatoes are done but still hot on the baking sheet, sprinkle lime zest all over them. (Adding the zest to the hot potatoes brings out the lime flavor.)

  7. Step 7

    Using tongs or a large serving spoon, arrange sweet potatoes on serving platter. Drizzle the sour cream mixture all over the potatoes, and sprinkle toasted pecans on top. Squeeze more lime juice on top if you like. Serve hot or warm.

Tip
  • To toast pecans, spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees until they smell nutty, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool.

Ratings

4 out of 5
339 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

This is essentially the same recipe as Ottam Ottolenghi’s sweet potato wedges with lemongrass creme fraiche. He uses ground coriander instead of garam masala (which of course contains coriander), and lime and lemongrass infused crème fraîche instead of lime sour cream. Melissa Clark's version has simplicity to recommend it, and the pecans -- maybe slightly candied? -- sound like a nice touch.

Microwave the sweet potatoes for 1 minute before cutting.

I make something similar to this, but instead of sour cream use high-fat yogurt, 3 to 4%. More nutritious, easier to digest, and just as good to my mind. Will now add pecans, sounds delicious!

Good but sweet potato skins are not our favorite, very crunchy and not much flavor. Sauce is very nice.

I love sweet potatoes. They are one of my favorites. However, this recipe turned out terrible. Garam masala does not pair well with sweet potatoes. The lime flavor and cilantro on top of the garam masala made it even worse. I was incredibly disappointed and couldn't finish my serving let alone the batch .

Opted for cubes vs wedges, roasted for 25-30 min. Used yogurt and stirred zest into it, rather than garnishing potatoes with it. Garnished with cilantro. Such a yummy combination of flavors and textures! Even my 8 YO gobbled up the seasoned potatoes.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.