Granted, the two teams vying for Super Bowl stardom are as Yankee as you can get, but when it comes to cooking for a Super Bowl party, the south will rise again. Both sweet potatoes and watermelon make colorful additions to the table, and the combination of sweet, salt and savory flavors will keep your guests coming back for more. These goodies are also gluten-free and cholesterol-free, and they can be made with organic fruits and veggies, facts that are sure to please your vegetarian, vegan, cholesterol challenged or gluten-sensitive guests.
The following recipe for oven fried sweet potatoes comes from Eco Chef Love, author of the Sweet Potato Mama Cookbook. Sea salt and olive oil heated to sizzling creates a delightfully sweet-salty-crispy potato stick that retains its distinctive sweet potato flavor.
Sweet Potato Fries
4 large long organic Garnett sweet potatoes
1 1/2 c. corn starch
1/2 c. olive oil
1 tbsp. fine sea salt
1 tbsp. ground black pepper
Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice sweet potatoes into thick lengths, then cut lengths into thirds or quarters. Set aside.
Spread 1/4 c. olive oil onto bottom of nonstick baking sheet. Place into oven preheated to 425 degrees. Heat for 10 minutes.
Place corn starch into medium sized food storage bag that is sealable. Add a handful of sweet potato slices. Close the top of the bag and shake to coat sweet potatoes thoroughly with starch. Place coated lengths into a fine mesh strainer and shake off excess.
Carefully remove oil covered baking sheet and place coated fries in a single layer on top of hot oil. Take care that fries aren't touching, or they will not cook evenly. Bake fries for 10 minutes.
Remove baking sheet, turn fries and coat with remaining 1/4 c. olive oil. Return to oven for an additional 6 - 8 minutes, depending on how crisp you like your fries. Season immediately with sea salt and ground black pepper after removing from oven. Serve with honey or dipping sauce (below).
Spicy Hot Dipping Sauce
1 c. Agave-sweetened ketchup
1 tbsp. hot sauce
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed organic lime juice
Combine ingredients in a small bowl, mix thoroughly.
Both whole and sliced watermelon is available in local Marsh stores, and the National Watermelon Promotion Board suggests the following finger foods for game day. The crafty person who enjoys theme decorations can try his or her hand at carving a Watermelon Helmet that can be filled with fruit salad. Complete instructions are on the Watermelon.org website.
They also suggest this easy and unusual salsa. Appropriately named Fire and Ice, it combines sweet bell peppers, jalapeno peppers and watermelon.
Fire and Ice Salsa
3 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
1/2 cup green peppers
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon green onion
2 tablespoons jalapeno peppers
Combine ingredients; mix well and cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or more. Makes 3 cups
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