Summer Fruit Cobbler with Sweetpotato Cake Topping

Reprinted from “Sweet Potatoes: Roasted, Loaded, Fried, and Made into Pie,” by Mary-Frances Heck (Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2017)

This sweetpotato cake batter is enriched with almond flour, which offers a nutty flavor and a pleasant texture. Using several types of fruit for a cobbler lends nuance to the wholesome dessert.

Summer Fruit Cobbler with Sweetpotato Cake Topping

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:
2 cups hulled and halved strawberries
2 cups raspberries
2 cups blackberries
2 cups chopped ripe peaches, apricots, or nectarines
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg
3/4 cup cooked, pureed orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes (from about 9 ounces raw)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat it to 350°F.

2. Toss the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and stone fruit in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch until the mixture is well blended. This simple act will ensure that the cornstarch is distributed evenly and gently thickens the fruit juices. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the fruit, then toss it again to coat the fruit evenly. Let sit while you make the batter.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter and 1/4 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and beat to combine it fully; then beat in the sweetpotato puree and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients, beating just to incorporate and form a stiff batter. Drop 6 to 8 heaping tablespoonfuls of the batter evenly over the fruit. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Set the cobbler on a rimmed baking sheet.

4. Bake the cobbler until the center is bubbly and the cake is risen and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Tip: You can also make small tea cakes with this batter and a couple cups of whatever fresh berries are in season. Divide the batter among 12 greased standard muffin cups and top each with a few berries. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.

Copyright © 2017 by Mary-Frances Heck. Photograph by Kristin Teig. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

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Grilled Lamb and Sweetpotato Kabobs with Quinoa, Garlic, Lemon, and Mint

Lamb has a natural sweetness that makes it a perfect pairing for sweetpotatoes. For example, we love baked sweetpotatoes with broiled lamb chops and grilled sweetpotato wedges with lamburgers. And we bet you would, too.

Here, we take the combo to new heights, adding lemon, olive oil, tons of garlic, and fresh mint. Great for a weekend barbeque with friends or a weeknight dinner with family, it’s all good.

Grilled Lamb and Sweetpotato Kabobs with Quinoa, Garlic, Lemon, and Mint

Serves 6

Ingredients:
3 lemons
12 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, divided, plus more to taste
3/4 cup olive oil
1 boneless leg of lamb (about 3 pounds), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes, or a combination, cut into 1-inch dice
1 cup quinoa
3/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Special equipment: about 18 10-inch metal skewers (see note)

Instructions:

1. Zest the lemons. Juice the zested lemons to yield 6 tablespoons of juice. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 3/4 teaspoon of the pepper, whisking to dissolve the salt. Whisk in the oil. Set aside 2/3 cup of the mixture, then transfer the remaining mixture to a large resealable bag and add the lamb and sweetpotatoes. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for as long as overnight. (If refrigerated, return to room temperature before proceeding.)
2. Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Thread the lamb and sweetpotatoes onto skewers (discard the marinade). Sprinkle the skewers on all sides with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 3/4 teaspoon of pepper. Grill the skewers, turning on all sides, until the lamb is done to your liking and the sweetpotatoes are lightly charred and tender, about 15 minutes for medium-rare.
4. Stir the tomatoes, scallions, about half of the mint, and about 2/3 of the remaining lemon mixture into the quinoa. Arrange the quinoa on plates or a platter and top with the skewers. Drizzle with the remaining lemon mixture, sprinkle with the remaining mint, and serve.
5. Note: It’s easiest to thread sweetpotatoes onto metal skewers. If you prefer to use wood or bamboo, try “pre-drilling” the sweetpotatoes with a metal skewer or something similar. (And as always, soak wood or bamboo skewers in water at least 10 minutes before using them on the grill.)

Recipe developed in partnership with the California Sheep Commission

Grilled Sweetpotato Tacos with Queso Fresco and Cucumber-Tomato Salsa

Grilled sweetpotato wedges are delicious alongside burgers, hot dogs, or anything else off the grate, but they’re also great as a featured ingredient in tacos, salads, and sandwiches. Here, they’re dusted with Mexican spices, then tucked into tortillas and topped with creamy cheese, crunchy lettuce, and fresh salsa. Add a watermelon wedge or a side of grilled peppers, and you’ve got a near-perfect summer meal!

Grilled Sweetpotato Tacos with Queso Fresco and Cucumber-Tomato Salsa

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 to 3 limes, divided
1 cup 1/4-inch diced tomatoes
1/2 cup 1/4-inch diced cucumber
1/4 cup 1/4-inch diced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound yellow- or orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes, cut lengthwise into 3/4-inch wedges
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Eight 6- or 8-inch corn or flour tortillas
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco (see notes)
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce or green cabbage
Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Squeeze one or two of the limes to yield 2 tablespoons of juice. In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and garlic. Add salt to taste and set aside. Cut the remaining lime into wedges and set aside.

2. Heat a grill to medium-high.

3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the sweetpotatoes, oil, salt, coriander, chili powder, and cumin. Wrap the tortillas in foil.

4. Arrange the sweetpotatoes on the grill and cook until lightly charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through. Place the tortillas on a cooler part of the grill and cook until warm, 5 to 8 minutes.

5. Arrange the tortillas on plates or a platter and top with the sweetpotatoes, queso fresco, lettuce or cabbage, and salsa. Serve with the lime wedges and hot sauce, if using, on the side.

Notes: Look for queso fresco in the Mexican cheese section of your supermarket. If you can’t find it, substitute crumbled feta or goat cheese.

To make this simple recipe even more so, omit the first seven ingredients and the first step of the instructions, and substitute one lime, cut into wedges for serving, and two cups of store bought salsa.

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Grilled Sweetpotato Wedges

Grilled sweetpotatoes are easy to make and easy to love, and they’re perfect alongside burgers, hot dogs, or anything else off the grate. Start with this basic recipe, then experiment with adding your favorite herbs and spices—for example, chopped fresh rosemary, cinnamon, or smoked paprika would all be awesome. (Want more ways to enjoy sweetpotato wedges? Try our recipe for Grilled Sweetpotato Tacos with Queso Fresco and Cucumber-Tomato Salsa.)

Grilled Sweetpotato Wedges

Serves 3 or 4

Ingredients:
1 pound yellow- or orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes, cut lengthwise into 3/4-inch wedges
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. Heat a grill to medium-high.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the sweetpotatoes, oil, and salt.

3. Arrange the sweetpotatoes on the grill and cook until lightly charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through. Sprinkle with more salt and serve.

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