A Mississippi Staple

Haynes dishes up a Mississippi staple

STORY GEORGIA SISSON

As host of the MSU Extension Service’s video segment, “The Food Factor,” Natasha Haynes knows that a meal should be delicious, nutritious, and a way to bring people together. Haynes’ love for people and feeding them make her a perfect fit for the role of host of the nutrition-based show. “The Food Factor” reaches audiences through digital media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. With every episode, Haynes, an experienced educator as an Extension agent in Rankin County, brings warmth and fun.

One important Mississippi staple crop, the sweet potato, has taken its turn in the show's spotlight on several occasions. Sweet potatoes are versatile, easy to prepare, and nutritious—all things “The Food Factor” crew looks for in a dish to prepare for their online audience. Here is a healthier take on a classic Southern dish, featuring Mississippi’s favorite orange root vegetable.

Maple Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes 2 Tbsp. plain, nonfat yogurt 3/4 Tbsp. maple syrup 1 Tbsp. orange juice You can serve this as a stuffed potato (be sure to save those skins when scooping out the cooked sweet potato!) or in a small, decorative dish.

Directions: Wash two medium-size sweet potatoes and prick with a fork. Microwave on high for 3–4 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Cut in half and scoop potato flesh into a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Mash sweet potato. Add yogurt, maple syrup, and orange juice. Microwave for 1–2 minutes.

THE DIRT ON MISSISSIPPI SWEET POTATOES

• 3rd — Mississippi’s rank in U.S. sweet potato production • From 90-120 days required to grow a sweet potato • 4.55 million hundredweight produced annually • 26,000 acres harvested in 2019 • $95 million — production value for 2019

Top three most popular varieties in Mississippi based on acres planted:

No. 1 — Beauregard

No. 2 — Hernandez

No. 3 — Nancy Hall

For more nutritional tips and tasty recipes, follow "The Food Factor" on Facebook and Twitter @FoodFactorMS and Instagram @foodfactor_msuext.