I was shocked to see the email from Foodbuzz stating that I had received enough votes to move forward in this amazing game! I was, to say the least, NOT PREPARED! My sister-in-laws’ birthdays were yesterday and I was on cake duty (you’ll get that post tomorrow) and today is a big game day and I had to find a way to make an amazing interpretation on a classic before heading out the door. I wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity to move forward yet again! You can view my profile here 🙂
A few years ago I went to Puerto Rico with my family and I can still remember some of the best food I have ever eaten at a small restaurant.
We ate mofongo (traditional plantain meal), fresh fruit, and yummy sweet potato balls. Sweet potato balls are traditional end to meals in Puerto Rico. Sometimes they are served with custard, sometimes not, but however they are served, they are delicious.
I decided that I wanted to put a spin on these sweet potato balls…since my hubby doesn’t like sweet potatoes and I’ve been craving pumpkin…I’d try my hand at pumpkin balls with a basic vanilla custard.
Traditional Sweet Potato Balls (Nesperos de Batatas)
- 2 lbs Sweet Potatoes, cut into cubes
- 6 c. Water
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 2 Coconuts, made into 3/4 c. Coconut Milk
- 3 c. Sugar
- 1 Egg Yolk
- cinnamon
- whole cloves
Directions
- Boil pealed and chopped sweet potatos in water and salt, ~40 minutes
- Drain and push through a rice strainer.
- Add egg yolk, coconut mik, and sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon.
- Transfer to dutch oven, bring to rapid boil while stirring with a wooden spoon in a back and forth motion.
- Turn down heat to medium, and continue to stir until the mixture is pulingl away from the bottom and sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat.
- Cool slightly. Roll into small balls and dust with cinnamon. Place one whole clove in each ball.
My twist – make this vegan and with pumpkin! This took a bit longer than I had anticipated…but the ending is VERY TASTY! It is not perfect, I couldn’t get the right consistency and will be tweeking this recipe until I get it right, this ended up more like a custard…tricky to form into a ball and roll into spice and coconut. BUT, since I’m short on time, this will do (and nicely at that).
Pumpkin Spice Balls
- 1 can Pumpkin
- 1.5 Tbs. Chia Seed
- 1/2 c. Almond Milk
- 2 Tbs. Coconut Butter
- 1 1/3 c. Cane Sugar
- 1/2 c. Maple Syrup
- 1/2 c. pecans
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Make certain everything is well mixed and turn into a dutch oven. Heat on high until it starts to boil. Reduce to medium heat and stir back and forth with a wooden spoon constantly. This took me about 25 minutes. It will look something like this:
Allow the mix to cool for about 15 minutes and scoop the mixture one Tbs. at a time onto a tray. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and coconut flakes (if you want, you can roll these in the mixture…it’s messy, but possible and then stick in the fridge to harden before eating). The PERFECT END to a meal.
These are sweet, so one or two will be plenty…Enjoy!
R-
September 26, 2010 at 11:45 am
I am sorry that you didn’t make it through. You had my ♥! I had a fantastic meal in PR thanks to my cousin’s husbands mother. She is Puerto Rican and before we left on our cruise I asked her for a restaurant recommendation in San Juan. It was fantastic. Your lovely dish reminds me of that meal. Thanks for sharing!
September 26, 2010 at 11:56 am
Thanks! I did make it through, though (voting starts tomorrow)! Thanks for you vote of confidence and enjoying my blog, I’m glad this reminds you of San Juan!
September 30, 2010 at 2:59 am
Oh Goodie!! You got my vote! Good luck!
September 26, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Oh my goodness! I absolutely love sweet potatoes and this looks incredible! I’d probably pop them non-stop 🙂 Good luck!! 🙂
September 27, 2010 at 11:52 am
Ooh those look good! You have my vote. Good luck with the competition.
September 27, 2010 at 4:53 pm
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
September 27, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I love how you have the cultural part but still make it seem like a fall classic for here too. 🙂
September 27, 2010 at 4:52 pm
THANKS!!! They really are good and I think it would be super easy to roll into balls after cooling in the fridge…just an “after the fact” tip.
September 27, 2010 at 6:26 pm
new for me ,..looks yum,..good luck for the third challenge,..
September 27, 2010 at 8:36 pm
yeah my dad will like this
September 27, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Bookmarking this NOW! Sweet taters are a favorite around these parts, so that first recipe sounds so good. Good luck with the competition! We’re all coming up with great challenge ideas. 🙂
September 28, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Thanks! These “balls” are delicious with sweet taters AND pumpkin! Even better the next day!!!!
September 27, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Great post! Looks delicious. I heart sweet potato everything. I voted for you!
Good luck! =)
You can check out my PFB post at :http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/2/view/864
September 28, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Thanks! I’m gonna visit your blog as soon as I’m done here 🙂
September 28, 2010 at 10:36 am
These look very tasty!! Good luck in the competition, you have my vote.
Lisa.
September 28, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Thanks so much!
September 28, 2010 at 11:39 am
I have been intrigued by mufongo since I saw it on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. I like the pumpkin spin.
September 28, 2010 at 6:09 pm
If you ever get a chance to try mofongo…do it! SOOO good!
September 28, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Your pumpkin spice balls look delicious! I can’t wait to make these for myself.
Best of luck, you’ve got my vote.
September 28, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Thanks! I took some to work today and EVERYBODY raved! I hope you’ll love them!
September 28, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Oh so perfect for the season. You got my vote, hope we both make it to round three!
September 29, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Thanks!
September 29, 2010 at 8:20 am
Yum! Both versions look DELICIOUS…I am flaggin this to try at home 🙂
[They look MUCH easier than the time I tried to make sweet potato gnocchi…]
September 29, 2010 at 7:40 pm
They were pretty easy….just a lot of stiring 🙂 Worth it though. Would love to know how they turn out for you!
September 29, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I’m down with anything pumpkin! It is fall afterall! You’ve got my vote!
September 29, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I’m down with anything pumpkin too! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
September 29, 2010 at 3:09 pm
This looks SO yummy! I love pumpkin – what a great dish!
September 30, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I love that you put your own twist on these tasty looking sweets! Looks delicious! Good luck!