How to cook yam (African yam). This is how i cook soft, fluffy yam in easy steps. You'll love this stress free method of cooking yam! What is yam? Yam is tuber root vegetable that is grown in most African and Asian countries. It is starchy, good source of cabohydrates and filling. Yam is an African word that means 'to eat'. Yam is different to sweet potatoes and Cassava. This recipe is for boiled yam which is one of African Yam recipes.
There are different types of yam. There is white yam (brown skin and white inner colour.. The skin is rough) and Yellow yam (brown skin just like white yam but yellow internally) . These are the popular Nigerian Yams.
I personally prefer white yam however i have used yellow yam in this recipe as that was what was available when i made this. So this is how i cook soft yam:
How to Peel Yam (African Yam)
The easiest way to peel African yam is to use sharp knife to slice in round slices about 1 inch thick then peel the skin off each slices. Try to peel as less as possible of the yam with the skin to prevent wastage. You should drop each peeled slice in a bowl of water to avoid discolouration. Wash thoroughly to get the dirt and slime off.
How to store Yam
Firstly, ensure the yams for storing are good, healthy yams.
Yam should then be stored in a cool, dry place.
Protect from direct Sunlight and water
You can freeze raw ( cut, peel, rinse and freeze) or cook and freeze. It can be frozen for 3-6 months. Freezing raw or cooked require putting in freezer bags or freezer safe air tight containers.
Ways to Cook African Yam
African Yam can be cooked in many ways including boiling, (boiled and eaten with sauce, for pounding in making Pounded yam, yam balls, etc) frying and roasting.
All of these methods require peeling the skin off. Yam is also used as thickener in soups like Ofe Nsala.
How to boil Yam
1) Cut, slice and peel Yam
2) Rinse yam and put in a pot, cover with water, add salt, sugar, cover and leave to boil for 25 minutes or till soft (when poked with fork it goes in without resistance)
3) When soft, drain the water and leave yam to cool
4) Serve with sauce of choice like:
Corned beef Stew
Egg Stew
Fish sauce
Other recipes you might like are:
How to make Pounded yam in Food Processor
How to Cook Yam (African Yam)
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Yam
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- Salt
Instructions
- Cut Yam, slice and peel the skin off
- Rinse yam and put in a pot, cover with water, add salt, sugar, cover and leave to boil for 25 minutes or till soft (when poked with fork it goes in without resistance)
- When soft, drain the water and leave the yam to cool
- Serve with sauce of choice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Happy Cooking
Mine allways turns out bitter. It's philipino yam. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
Are these yam ok for someone who is diabetic? I was given a couple but no boiling or roasting methods. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks so much
We've never cooked with yam before but recognise the root from watching The Island. Sounds like a lovely dish and we're definitely going to give it a try once we source it!
I've always wondered how you cook yam so thanks so much for sharing this - going to try it out this month
Laura x
I miss eating African Yam. Not had some in years now.
I’ve only ever had this cooked for me so maybe it’s time to try making it myself. Looks delicious
I have had yam a few times before and when I visited Nigeria at the beginning of the year, I had some boiled yum too.
Great advice, I've been looking at them in the international food market for months and had no idea how to cook them!
You learn something new every day. Love learning about different cuisines.
I always thought of Yams as sweet potato like and would have cooked in the same way.
Great recipe, thank you for sharing, I look forward to trying this x
Glad you now know not to do that 🙂 They are totally different. Thanks for stopping by.
Nice snack or a meal. I stopped in an African store just to see what they had. I couldn't resist the yam. Good inexpensive food. I just sliced them thin and fried them and ate them with mango and ginger chutney. I guess any chutney do.