They are not even potatoes, and also not yams, but they are sweet.  Sweet potatoes came from deepest Peru and spread to become a popular staple of Native Americans. The first Europeans to sample the delights of sweet potatoes were Christopher Columbus and his crew on their voyage to the West Indies in 1492. They brought them back to Spain and from there they spread all over the world. Sweet potatoes contain a range of nutrients including: fibre which aids digestion; vitamins including B vitamins and C which support our vision and immune system and minerals including iron and calcium. Like other orange vegetables, they are high in the antioxidant called beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are just that, sweet! Make the most of that kid-friendly flavour by cutting into fries and roasting or baking them whole as a 1 of your 5-a-day jacket potato in less time than a regular one (white potatoes don't count - but you could make it 2 of your 5-a-day topping a sweet one with some low sugar and salt baked beans!). You can also steam, microwave, fry or boil sweet potato. Baking them and blitzing or mashing gives you sweet potato puree - not only a great mash, but also perfect for adding sweetness, colour and veggies to baked goods or even blitzing into smoothies! To store them, keep sweet potatoes in a cool, dark cupboard for a month or so.