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It's sweet potato recipes today. There orange tubers are great tasting, good for you and economical. They are versatile and full of nutritions. You can bake, boil, fry or microwave the sweet spud. And they freeze well. They can also be substituted in most any recipes that call for squash, pumpkin or potatoes. These tubers are high in fiber, iron, potassium, vitamins E, A, B and C and just 130 calories per medium sweet potato. Don't refrigerate or freeze them unless they've been cooked as cold temperatures can cause them to get bitter. Stock up and enjoy them often. They aren't just for your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal!

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SAUSAGE/SWEET POTATO, APPLE CASSEROLE

1 lb. seasoned lean bulk pork sausage

1/4 c. water

1 (23 oz.) can sweet potatoes in liquid, drained

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. butter or margarine

3 medium, unpeeled red cooking apples cut into 1/2" rings

Form sausage into 4 patties, brown in a skillet. Drain off fat. Put patties in the bottom of a 2-qt. casserole; add water. Layer potato slices over sausage. Sprinkle with sugar; dot with half of the butter. Top with slices of apple rings. Dot with rest of butter, cover; bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Uncover; bake for 15 more minutes.

Makes 4 servings.

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MAPLE GLAZED SWEET POTATOES

2 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes (4 medium)

3 T. butter or margarine, melted

1/4 c. pancake syrup

2 T. brown sugar

2 T. flake coconut (optional)

1/2 c. pecan halves or pieces

1 1/2 c. mini-marshmallows

Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Cook sweet potatoes in water, just to cover; heat to boiling. Lower heat and simmer, covered 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain potatoes and cool slightly. Peel and cut into large chunks; put in baking dish. In small saucepan, combine butter, syrup, sugar and coconut. Over low heat, cook stirring about 4 minutes until blended. Sprinkle nuts over sweet potatoes, then top with syrup mixture. Bake 25 minutes, top with marshmallows. Bake 5-7 minutes until marshmallows are slightly browned.

Makes 6-8 servings.

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SWEET POTATOES, APPLES & BERRIES

1-23 oz. can sweet potatoes, in liquid, drained

3 med. apples peeled and cut into chunks

2 T. butter or margarin

1/2 t. nutmeg

1-16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce

1/2 c. orange marmalade (not sugar free)

In a skillet melt butter over med. heat. Saute apples until crisp-tender. Put apples and sweet potatoes in a greased 3 qt. casserole. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Combine cranberry sauce & marmalade. Spoon over sweet potato. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 8-10 servings.

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SOUTHERN SWEET

POTATO BAKE

8 medium sweet potatoes peeled, cut into large chunks and cooked until tender

1 lg. egg, slightly beaten

1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted

1-1/2 T. grated orange rind

1 t. each, cinnamon & vanilla

1/2 t. salt

Cook potatoes until tender. Drain. Transfer to large bowl. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Scoop into a 9x13 greased baking dish or 2 1/2 qt. casserole; level mixture. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. If you wish toast 1/2 c. chopped pecans and sprinkle over top before baking.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Note: To toast pecans, put into shallow pan & bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes. Cool. This method of toasting nuts may be used for any variety of nuts. This is a wonderful dish to serve for brunch. Perhaps with eggs, sausage links or patties, muffins, popovers or fruit bread or fresh fruit.

TFD: On Thanksgiving day, before we eat dinner, each member of the family is asked to share what they are thankful for. It's quite interesting to hear what they say - from the 7 year old to the 23 ear old plus parents and grandparents. A total of 23 voices heard. This is not a "spur of the moment" question, it's a tradition we started several years ago. Perhaps you would like to make it a tradition in your home.

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