How to make a delicious sweet potato casserole

Today on food for the soul, I will be showing you how to make a delicious sweet potato casserole that is good for any occasion and if you like content like this, please give this video a thumbs up subscribe to the channel and read the Bible verse in the description to defeat your soul

Bible verse of the video

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—Proverbs 20:22


History of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes, originating in Central or South America, have a long history of cultivation and consumption. Evidence suggests domestication in Peru around 2500-1850 BCE, with spread throughout the Americas and eventually across the globe. While they are not closely related to the common potato, sweet potatoes became a staple food in various cultures, including Polynesian societies before European contact.
Here's a more detailed look at their history:
Origins and Early Cultivation:
Sweet potatoes are believed to be native to tropical regions of Central and South America.
Archaeological evidence from Peru indicates domestication around 2500-1850 BCE.
They were a significant food source for indigenous populations in the Americas, including the Inca, Mayan, and Aztec civilizations.
Sweet potatoes spread throughout the Americas, reaching as far north as Mexico and the West Indies.
Evidence of sweet potatoes has been found in Polynesia dating back to around 1000-1100 AD, suggesting pre-Columbian contact with the Americas.
Global Spread:
Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing sweet potatoes to Europe after his voyages.
From Europe, they spread to Asia and Africa.
Sweet potatoes were introduced to North America, including Virginia by 1648 and the Carolinas by 1723.
Today, China is the world's largest producer of sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potatoes as a Staple:
Sweet potatoes have been a staple food for many populations, particularly in the Pacific Islands and Asia.
In the United States, they became a common crop in the South, and eventually, a Thanksgiving tradition.
Sweet potatoes have been associated with both poverty and prosperity throughout history, sometimes being the only food available to some, while also being incorporated into more elaborate dishes.
Modern Uses and Significance:
Sweet potatoes are now recognized for their nutritional value and versatility, used in various dishes and as a substitute for French fries.
They are a good source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and other nutrients.
Efforts are being made to promote sweet potatoes as a healthy and sustainable food source.
This video explains the history of sweet potatoes and its nutritional benefits:


History of sweet potato casseroles

Sweet potato casserole has a rich history that stretches back centuries, with its modern form heavily influenced by Southern cuisine and a surprising turn involving a marshmallow company.
Here's a breakdown of its evolution:
Early origins
Sweet potatoes, native to Central and South America, were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus and eventually reached North America via European colonists.
Early sweet potato dishes in the US date back to at least 1796, when Amelia Simmons' "American Cookery" included a sweet potato pudding recipe, according to The Library of Congress.
These early sweet potato casseroles often incorporated ingredients like eggs, milk, and nutmeg, but not always sugar or marshmallows, as sugar was expensive.
The rise of candied sweet potatoes
As American cookbooks grew in popularity, recipes for candied sweet potatoes began to appear in the late 1800s and early 1900s, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.
Fannie Farmer's 1918 recipe for "Glazed Sweet Potatoes" involved boiling the sweet potatoes before coating them in a butter and sugar syrup and baking them until browned.
The marshmallow innovation
In the early 20th century, the Angelus Marshmallow company aimed to increase the popularity of marshmallows and hired Janet McKenzie Hill, the founder of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, to develop recipes using marshmallows.
Hill's 1917 recipe booklet included the first recorded recipe for mashed sweet potatoes baked with a marshmallow topping, which later became the Thanksgiving classic.
Southern variations and modern takes
Sweet potato casseroles with pecan toppings also originated in Southern cuisine, with early versions using cream or milk.
Today, sweet potato casserole remains a popular and adaptable side dish with many variations, ranging from savory to sweet, and with or without marshmallows or pecans.
The sweet potato casserole represents a combination of culinary traditions and historical influences, making it a well-liked dish with an interesting history.