There are a few vegetables that resemble sweet potatoes in shape and size, but have white flesh instead of the familiar orange flesh of sweet potatoes. Determining what white vegetable someone is referring to when they describe it as looking like a sweet potato takes some investigation into common sweet potato look-alikes.
What are some white vegetables that look similar to sweet potatoes?
Here are some of the most common white vegetables that look like sweet potatoes:
- Jicama
- White sweet potato varieties
- Turnips
- Parsnips
- Daikon radish
Let’s explore each of these white vegetables in more detail and see why someone might mistake them for sweet potatoes.
Jicama
Jicama is a globular root vegetable that originated in Mexico. It has a tan, rough exterior that resembles a sweet potato skin. When cut open, jicama has a white crunchy flesh with a mildly sweet, nutty flavor.
Jicama can range in size from a small potato to up to 6 pounds or larger. The size and oblong/rounded shape leads many people to confuse it with sweet potatoes at first glance.
White Sweet Potato Varieties
While orange flesh is by far the most common, there are actually over 4,000 varieties of sweet potatoes worldwide. Some of these varieties have white or pale yellow flesh instead of orange.
Popular white sweet potato varieties include:
- White Yam
- Japanese Sweet Potato
- Hannah Sweet Potato
- O’Henry Sweet Potato
So if someone describes a sweet potato-like vegetable that’s white on the inside, they may be referring to one of these less common sweet potato cultivars.
Turnips
Turnips are a root vegetable that originated in Europe. The most common variety has a round white root with purple top. Turnip roots range in size from that of a large cherry tomato to about 5 inches across.
The round white roots of smaller turnips can look just like small sweet potatoes. Larger turnips can also resemble oblong sweet potato varieties.
Parsnips
Like turnips, parsnips originated in Europe and have been used in cooking for centuries. Parsnips look like white carrots in shape and color. They have a cream-colored skin and flesh.
Medium to large sized parsnips can resemble sweet potatoes in their oblong shape. The cream colored skin even mimics the brownish skin of many sweet potatoes.
Daikon Radish
Daikon is a type of radish native to Southeast and East Asia that is grown for its large, white roots. It can grow over 12 inches long and 4 inches in diameter.
When harvested young, daikon roots look very similar to sweet potatoes – oblong and rounded with creamy white skin and flesh.
How can you tell these white vegetables apart from sweet potatoes?
While all the vegetables above may look like sweet potatoes at first glance, there are some key differences that can help distinguish them:
- Skin texture – Sweet potato skin is thicker and rougher than turnips, parsnips and daikon radishes.
- Flesh texture – The white flesh of jicama and daikon is extremely crisp and juicy compared to mealier sweet potatoes.
- Flavor – Sweet potatoes are, well, sweet! The other white veggies taste more savory, starchy or nutty.
- Appearance when cut – Cutting open a sweet potato reveals a distinct outer ring of orange flesh. The other vegetables are white throughout.
Are white sweet potatoes really sweet potatoes?
White sweet potato varieties are true sweet potatoes even though they lack the familiar orange flesh. They belong to the same plant species (Ipomoea batatas) as orange sweet potatoes.
Though not as widely available, white sweet potatoes have a very similar taste and texture when cooked as their orange counterparts. They are interchangeable in most recipes.
The primary differences are:
- White varieties tend to be a bit less sweet and moist.
- The skins are usually a more pinkish tone compared to orange skin.
But just like orange sweet potatoes, the white varieties become soft, sweet, and perfect for pies, fries, and other dishes with cooking.
How do white sweet potatoes compare to regular potatoes?
White sweet potatoes can also be mistaken for white potatoes. But there are some key ways to tell them apart:
| White Sweet Potato | White Potato | |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Texture | Smooth and somewhat glossy | Thinner, more matte |
| Flesh Texture | Denser, more moist when raw | Starchy and dry when raw |
| Flavor | Inherent sweetness | More neutral taste |
The different starch composition leads to a different eating experience as well. White sweet potatoes tend to get sticky when cooked, while white potatoes fluff up and get crumbly.
What’s the best way to cook white sweet potatoes?
You can use white sweet potatoes in any way you would use orange sweet potatoes. They are fantastic roasted or fried, and work well mashed, in soups and stews, baked into fries and chips, and added to breads and muffins.
Here are a few easy ways to put white sweet potatoes to delicious use:
Roasted White Sweet Potato Wedges
Peel, deseed and cut into 1-inch wedges. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until browned and tender.
White Sweet Potato Fries
Cut peeled sweet potatoes into long 1⁄2-inch thick fries. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Dry thoroughly, then toss with oil and desired seasonings. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes.
Mashed White Sweet Potatoes
Boil cubes of peeled sweet potato until very soft, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. For perfectly smooth mashed potatoes, pass the mashed sweet potatoes through a food mill or ricer.
White Sweet Potato Pie
Bake peeled and cubed white sweet potatoes until soft. Puree and mix with sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour into a prepared pie crust and bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes.
Can you substitute white sweet potatoes for orange in recipes?
In most cases, white and orange sweet potatoes can be used interchangeably in recipes without issue. The main difference you may notice is that dishes made with white varieties are a bit less sweet and moist.
To compensate when substituting, you can:
- Increase any other sugars in the recipe slightly.
- Use a little extra butter or oil to add moisture.
- Cook the white sweet potatoes a minute or two less than orange varieties.
Otherwise, white sweet potatoes can be swapped in at a 1:1 ratio for orange sweet potatoes.
Where to find white sweet potatoes
Orange sweet potatoes are available year-round in most major grocery stores. White sweet potato varieties are harder to come by.
Here are some places to find white sweet potatoes when you need them:
- Specialty produce markets – Stores like Whole Foods often have a wider selection of sweet potato varieties beyond just orange.
- Farmers markets – Local growers are more likely to grow heirloom and specialty produce like white sweet potatoes.
- Asian/International markets – Japanese sweet potato varieties are sometimes available at markets specializing in Asian foods.
- Online ordering – Companies like Melissa’s Produce can ship exotic sweet potato varieties like white sweet potatoes nationwide.
Conclusion
When it comes to root vegetables that resemble sweet potatoes, be on the lookout for jicamas, white potato varieties, turnips, parsnips and daikon radishes. Examine the skin texture, interior flesh color, raw flavor, and appearance when cut open to discern whether you have a sweet potato or imposter!
Though more difficult to find, true white sweet potatoes can be used just like their orange counterparts. Their mildly sweet flavor and fluffy soft texture when cooked make them perfect for baked dishes, soups, fries, pies and more. With a few minor tweaks, white and orange sweet potatoes can be substituted for one another in any recipe.