Potatoes and Yams

Potatoes are so widely loved today that it's hard to believe that 15th- and early 16th-century Europeans considered them to be poisonous. This native to the Americas is a member of the nightshade family, which encompasses more than 2,500 species, including the poisonous belladonna. To counter the false claims, British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh planted potatoes on his farm in Ireland. Before long, Ireland became a leading producer of potatoes, and despite a blight in the 1840s in that country, the russet potato is still known as the "Irish" potato.

Sweet potatoes and yams are often used interchangeably, but they're not related. A member of the morning-glory family, sweet potatoes may be light yellow or dark orange. They're native to tropical areas of the Americas. Similar in size, shape and taste to sweet potatoes, yams have a wider variety of colors. They're native to West Africa.

Local farmers' markets carry a wide variety of potatoes and sweet potatoes (yams are not widely grown in the United States). Steam or boil small fingerling potatoes, blue potatoes or red-fleshed potatoes to expand your horizons, or try the two classic dishes American Profile presents this week: Potato Casserole, sent in by Elaine Garrett, of Corbin, Ky., and Yam-tastic, sent in by Ethan Bosch, of Clarion, Pa.

To submit a recipe of your own, send it, along with a color photograph of yourself, to Hometown Recipes, American Profile, 341 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067. Please note that recipes and photographs will not be returned.

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