Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Fresh Thyme

Since I went to the pumpkin patch and tasted some sweet potato hummus at Sassool, I thought I would share a recipe for sweet potatoes. These are the perfect side dish for just about any holiday meal. However, they’re so quick and easy to make, you’ll want to enjoy them throughout the year.

What’s more, sweet potatoes are as nutritious as they are delicious. They contain fewer calories and are higher in fiber, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C than their white counterparts.*

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Serves: 6-8

Time-Saving Tip: The smaller the sweet potatoes are cut before boiling, the faster they will cook.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed ( from local farmers)
• 3 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2-3 T. half and half
• 2 T. fresh thyme leaves, minced ( buy or grow your own)
• 2 t. ground cinnamon
• 1 t. ground all-spice
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings:

• Whipped cream cheese**
• Walnuts halves, toasted ( you can buy these from a local farmer)

Directions:

1. Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
   
   
2. Add butter, cream cheese, and half & half to the sweet potatoes and mash with an immersion blender or a hand-held mixer. For a thinner consistency, add more half & half, if desired.  
   
   
3. Once the potatoes are creamy, stir in thyme leaves, cinnamon, and allspice until well blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately topped with a spoonful of whipped cream cheese and/or toasted walnuts, if desired. Enjoy!

**To make whipped cream cheese topping, blend 4 oz. softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons half & half, and a dash of cinnamon with an immersion blender or hand-held mixer until light and fluffy. Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator and use wherever you enjoy regular cream cheese.

Source from Local Farms

sweet potatoes
walnuts
thyme