The Best Type Of Sweet Potato For Mashing

As the cold season crashes into our lives every winter, some may go out of their way to snag any potato they can get their hands on. It's understandable — potatoes will warm you up just as quickly as soup or stew on a chilly day, and there are infinite ways to enjoy them. You can find them fried, baked, scalloped, or hashed, but perhaps the best part is that you can choose your favorite kind — savory or sweet (via Food Network). 

Britannica says that the sweet potato is originally native to the Americas, particularly the tropical regions such as the Caribbean and the Pacific islands. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the sweet potato didn't make its way to Europe until after the Columbian Exchange was established and then was officially introduced and planted in the U.S. in the state of Virginia in 1648.

We now have hundreds of different kinds of potatoes to choose from, and not all are built the same. Some appear purple instead of orange, and some are tougher than others. Jessica Gavin says sweet potatoes are an excellent source of nutrition and come with a delicious candy-like flavor, making them the perfect starchy ingredient to mash up into cold-weather dishes. Some of her favorites are varieties like the Jewel, due to its rock-star bold taste, and the Beauregard, which is the perfect choice for mashing.

According to The Washington Post, the Beauregard comes with gorgeous dark orange flesh and contains a little more juice than other sweet potatoes, making them ideal for smashing up and incorporating into any dish. Sweet potatoes tend to have a firm or soft texture; the firm kind keeps shape after they cook, whereas the softer type, like the Beauregard, will become more delicate and creamy.

In addition, the Beauregard won't have the undesirable grainy texture some potatoes have. Instead, you'll find a smooth, fibery mash waiting for you. According to Specialty Produce, the variety also tends to be large in size, is very dense, perfectly sweet, and has a unique nuttiness to taste. 

The Beauregard sweet potato is not only excellent texturally and in flavor, but also contains significant amounts of vitamins C and E, iron, fiber, beta-carotene, and potassium. Luckily, these sweet potatoes are available to purchase all year round, so if you're craving sweet potato pie or sweet potato casserole any time soon, look for the iconic Beauregard.