The Main Ingredient: A yam by any other name; Yams aren't sweet potatoes, and vice versa

From: Sunday Gazette-Mail | Date: November 24, 2002| Author: | Copyright information

robbyers@wvgazette.com

tara@wvgazette.com

"I yam what I yam."

- Popeye

AFTER doing a little research, we have determined that the aforementioned quote from a certain squinty-eyed sailor man is perhaps the only correct usage of the word "yam" ever uttered throughout our childhood.

Those candied yams? Sweet potatoes. Buttered yams? Sweet potatoes. Yams dozing under a quilt of melted marshmallow? Wake up and smell the sweet potatoes.

Most folks have never actually seen a real yam. They have rough brown skin and can grow up to 7 feet long. Trust us, we've seen pictures.

Yams are African; sweet ...

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