Sweet potatoes and squash are two popular vegetables that frequently show up in recipes and on dinner plates. They both have a similar sweet, starchy taste and bright orange color, which might lead some to believe they are related. However, despite their similarities, sweet potatoes and squash actually belong to different plant families.
What is a Sweet Potato?
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a root vegetable that is native to Central and South America. It is a member of the morning glory family and is often erroneously referred to as a yam (which is a separate species). Sweet potatoes come in a range of colors, including orange, white, and purple, and are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin A. They can be roasted, mashed, boiled, fried, or used to make pies and casseroles. Sweet potato is a staple food in many cultures around the world.
What is Squash?
Squash is a group of vegetables that belong to the family Cucurbitaceae. This family includes several other types of plants such as gourds, cucumbers, and melons. Squash can be divided into two main categories: summer squash and winter squash. Summer squash, such as zucchini and yellow squash, are harvested in the summer and have a thin, edible skin and soft flesh. Winter squash, such as butternut and acorn squash, are harvested in the fall and have a tougher skin and sweet, dense flesh. Squash is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and water.
Are Sweet Potato and Squash Related?
While sweet potato and squash share some similarities, they are not related. Sweet potato belongs to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), while squash (including winter squash, like butternut and acorn) belongs to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Although sweet potato and squash can both have a sweet, starchy taste and orange flesh, their differences in plant family mean they have distinct genetic makeup and more significant differences than similarities.
How to Cook Sweet Potato and Squash
Sweet potato and squash are versatile vegetables that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Below are some common cooking methods for each:
Sweet Potato
– Baked: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes and prick them a few times with a fork. Wrap them in aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
– Mashed: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes and boil them in a large pot of salted water for about 20 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain and add butter, milk, salt, and pepper and mash until creamy.
– Roasted: Cut the sweet potatoes into small cubes and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 425°F for about 20-30 minutes, or until crispy and browned.
Squash
– Roasted: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the squash in half (remove the seeds if using winter squash) and brush with olive oil. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for about 40-50 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
– Soup: Peel and chop the squash and sauté with onions and garlic in a large pot until tender. Add chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Puree with an immersion blender and add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
– Grilled: Cut the squash into thick slices and brush with olive oil. Grill on a hot grill or grill pan for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the squash takes on grill marks and is slightly charred.
Conclusion
No, sweet potato and squash are not related, despite some similarities in taste, texture, and appearance. While sweet potato belongs to the morning glory family and is a root vegetable, squash is a group of vegetables that belong to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Both sweet potato and squash are nutritious and delicious vegetables that can be easily incorporated into a variety of recipes.
FAQ
What vegetable is sweet potato related to?
Sweet Potatoes are a root vegetable that has been enjoyed worldwide for centuries. They are often called ‘yams’ in the United States, but in fact, they are not related to yams at all. Instead, sweet potatoes are botanically classified as a dicot, which is a plant having two embryonic seed leaves.
The sweet potato is from the Convolvulacea or morning glory family, a group of flowering plants with a beautiful shape and color. The morning glory family includes over 1,000 species, and many of them are found in tropical regions all over the world. This family also includes other foods, such as the tropical plant cassava, known for its edible roots, and the culinary herb called water spinach.
Sweet potatoes have a long history of cultivation and have been grown in Central and South America for over 5,000 years. They were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century and later introduced to Africa by slave traders. Today, sweet potatoes are grown in many parts of the world, including the United States, Japan, and New Zealand, to name a few.
Sweet potatoes are not related to yams, but instead, they belong to the morning glory family. They are a fascinating plant with a rich history that has been enjoyed by many cultures worldwide. Sweet potatoes are a tasty and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways, from sweet to savory dishes.
Are sweet potatoes and pumpkins related?
Sweet potatoes and pumpkins are two of the most popular vegetables used in cooking and baking. They are often used interchangeably in various recipes, which begs the question: are they related?
While both sweet potatoes and pumpkins are known for their sweet, earthy flavor profile, they come from completely different families. Sweet potatoes come from the convolvulacea family, while pumpkins come from the winter squash family.
Sweet potatoes, also known as yams, are a root vegetable native to Central and South America. They come in different varieties such as the orange-fleshed, which has a brighter and sweeter flavor and the white-fleshed which is starchy and lighter in taste. Sweet potatoes are known for their bright orange color, texture, and sweet taste. They have more fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to regular potatoes and are relatively lower in calories. Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient used in many dishes, from savory to sweet, and are commonly used in pies, casseroles, and soups.
Pumpkins are a type of winter squash and are native to North America. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors such as orange, yellow, and white. Pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C, minerals, and antioxidants. Like sweet potatoes, pumpkins are a versatile vegetable used in many recipes. They are commonly used in soups, stews, and curries or transformed into pumpkin puree, which is perfect to use in pies and baked goods.
While sweet potatoes and pumpkins are not related, their similarities lie in their sweetness, versatility in cooking, and nutritional value. Their distinct flavors and textures make them uniquely different from each other and suitable for different dishes. Sweet potatoes have a soft and stringy consistency while pumpkins are creamier. When baking, pumpkin puree can replace sweet potato puree if you are looking for a lighter and creamier texture, but sweet potatoes might be too dense for certain dishes.
While both sweet potatoes and pumpkins are used in a variety of dishes, they come from completely different plant families. Sweet potatoes belong to the convolvulacea family, while pumpkins are from the winter squash family. However, their nutritional value, versatility in cooking, and sweet taste make them a popular ingredient in many recipes.
What is the closest relative of sweet potato?
The sweet potato, also known as Ipomoea batatas, is a widely consumed starchy root vegetable that is native to Central and South America. This plant belongs to the family Convolvulaceae, which also includes many other species of flowering plants. Interestingly, sweet potato has been cultivated for thousands of years and is now one of the world’s most important food crops.
Scientists have long been interested in tracing the evolutionary origins of sweet potato and its closest relatives. In recent years, genomic studies have helped provide new insights into the relationships between various species within the Convolvulaceae family. One such study, published in the journal Nature in 2018, sheds light on the closest relative of sweet potato.
According to this study, the sweet potato’s closest living relative is a species called Ipomoea trifida. This plant is also found in Central America and is commonly known as the Mexican morning glory. It is a close relative of the morning glory plants commonly grown in gardens and has been used by indigenous communities for food and medicinal purposes.
The study found that the sweet potato had a single origin from a common ancestor with Ipomoea trifida at least 800,000 years ago. The researchers identified many genetic similarities between the two plants, including shared pathways for carbohydrate metabolism and the presence of similar toxin-reducing genes. However, sweet potato has undergone significant changes over time due to selective breeding, resulting in its larger size, sweeter taste, and other differences from its close relative.
While the sweet potato has been cultivated for thousands of years and is widely consumed worldwide, its closest relative is the Mexican morning glory plant, Ipomoea trifida. The genetic similarities between these two plants suggest that they share a common evolutionary history, which began at least 800,000 years ago. The study of the evolutionary relationships between different plant species is crucial for understanding the diversity of life on our planet and for identifying new resources for food and medicine.
Are sweet potatoes closely related to potatoes?
Sweet potatoes and potatoes are two different root vegetables that are often confused with each other. While both of them are used widely in various cuisines all around the world, the similarities between the two end there. In terms of origin, potato and sweet potato both come from Central and South America, but they belong to entirely different botanical families.
Potatoes, scientifically known as Solanum tuberosum, belong to the nightshade family. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which includes other economically important crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. In contrast, sweet potatoes, scientifically known as Ipomoea batatas, belong to the morning glory family. It is a member of the Convolvulaceae family, which includes other economically important crops such as cassava.
Both potato and sweet potato plants are herbaceous perennials, but their physical appearances and nutritional values are quite different. Potatoes come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but they are generally round, oval, or oblong-shaped and have a thin skin that covers their white, yellow, or reddish-brown flesh. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are usually longer and tapered at both ends, with a reddish-brown or orange skin and a flesh that ranges from orange to yellow color.
Moreover, sweet potatoes contain much more nutrients and vitamins compared to potatoes. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, C and B6, potassium, fiber, and beta-carotene, while potatoes contain almost no vitamin A, C or beta-carotene, but instead contains more vitamin B6 and potassium.
While potato and sweet potato have some similarities, they are not closely related to each other but come from completely different families. They are different in terms of physical appearance, nutritional values, and are used for different dishes. Despite the fact that they are both root vegetables, they should not be mistook for one another, as the differences between them are quite significant.
