No left overs of Nonna Frances, Nonna Cathy and Grandma Maxine’s influenced sweet yam casserole. My contribution is the added nutmeg as I love this spice in my morning latte and or making cannoli filling. No wonder Sicily is one of my favorite places to visit! I give credit to my mom and grandmothers for this casserole recipe variation. Hope you enjoy it.
Love this recipe, it is easy and feeds a crowd. Perfect at Easter or with turkey for Thanksgiving. Popular at potlucks.
Collect Ingredients:
Orange Sweet Yams, one large bag (8 medium yams)
Dates, raisins or cranberries (whatever you have on hand)- ¼ cup
Mandarin oranges, “cuties” or regular oranges, any type including blood oranges -4 items of citrus
Real maple syrup- ½ cup
Light or dark brown sugar (either type works)- 1 ½ cups
Cinnamon (1 tablespoon)
Ground nutmeg (2 teaspoons)- Sicilian Influence
¼ cup water
citrus zest from one fruit
1 stick butter (salter or unsalted)
Pre Bake: Peel, cut the yams into equal sized pieces. Add 1 cup water to baking pan. Bake in 400-degree oven for 20 minutes, this pre baking helps to soften yams.
While cooking yams combine the following into a microwave safe bowl:
Maple syrup, brown sugar, water, zest, cinnamon, ground nutmeg and butter.
Melt in microwave.
Prep your dried and fresh fruit:
Slice citrus fruits. . If using dates remove pits and cut the large dates into thirds.
Combine:
Remove yams from the oven. Stir yams so that they will receive even heat and cooking for the next bake.
Add fresh citrus and dried fruits of your choice
Lower oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes uncovered so that citrus can candy and brown
The candied citrus is as popular and delicious as the sweet yams.
We all modify recipes over time. The mash up of ideas and techniques from my grandmothers’ and mom has blended over the years into a new technique. What recipes have you developed based on family influences? Feel free to share, I would love to hear from you.
Huckleberry Wishes, Maxine (A.K.A. Molly)
Tip: Set some candied citrus aside. They refrigerate well for several days. Use the candied citrus to garnish fresh yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Candied blood oranges and fresh mint is a wonderful and simple Italian style garnish.
