Christopher Columbus and his shipmates mentioned it in the records of their fourth voyage to the New World. Members of the expedition were fed boiled sweet potatoes and compared the taste to that of chestnuts. Today, we know that the sweet potato is among the best vegetables you can eat because of its nutritional makeup. One cup of cooked sweet potato provides about 30 milligrams (50,000 IU) of beta-carotene. (It would take 23 cups of broccoli to provide the same amount!)

And, one medium-size sweet potato contains only 135 to 155 calories, so please add them to your holiday menu this year.

To read more about the sweet potato and find holiday recipes and craft ideas, visit our Holiday Feasts, Folklore, and Fun page.

Sincerely,
The Old Farmer’s Almanac

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