Roasted Garlic Smashed Sweet Potato & Turnip

It’s the middle of the fall and I’m starting to crave warm, hearty dishes. It’s also almost time to prep my Thanksgiving menu and this dish is one of my go-to sides!

This side has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. When I was little and veggies were a chore to eat, smashed sweet potatoes and turnips was one of my favorites. My mom would add a pad of butter to the top of a colorful dollop of sweet potato & turnip, which would melt all over. I’d take my spoon and catch the butter before it pooled on my plate.

I still LOVE the butter method but I also love adding some sweet, caramelized roasted garlic. It adds a whole other level of depth and richness. After all – garlic makes everything better!

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Makes: a side dish for 4 people

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

The Ingredients

1 head garlic

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and ends cut off

1 medium turnip, peeled and ends cut off

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt

Aluminum foil

Optional: add a few fresh sage leaves for an extra pop of fall!

 

 

 

The Steps

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fill a medium pot ¾ of the way with water. Place on the stove, and bring the water to a gentle boil.

For the roasted garlic: Cut the stem and plus about ½ inch off the head of garlic nearest the stem to expose the cloves.

Cut three medium pieces of aluminum foil and stack them. Use a water glass to form the foil sheets around the glass, creating a bowl-shape of foil. Remove the water glass so the foil bowl stands freely.

Place garlic head cut-side up in the foil bowl. Add olive oil until the entire head is just submerged in olive oil. Crinkle up the top of the foil bowl so it’s closed. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.

For sweet potatoes and turnips: Cut peeled potatoes and turnips into roughly 2 inch cubes. Place cubes in boiling water and let simmer for 25-30 minutes over medium heat. Check doneness with a fork. Poke a few cubes to ensure they’re fork tender and soft.

Drain water.

To assemble: Add 2-4 large garlic cloves plus 2-3 tablespoons of the garlic oil from the foil bowl to the sweet potatoes and turnips. Use a potato masher to mash and combine mixture. Add more garlic and salt to taste.

A perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or alongside chicken, beef or fish dishes!

 

 

 

 

The Steps with Video

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YouTube video

About Grace Vallo

Hi, I’m Grace Vallo! Welcome to my kitchen! Here you’ll find kitchen-tested recipes and step-by-step tutorials with videos, giving home cooks the knowledge and confidence to cook and bake the most flavorful recipes for every season. Featured on the Food Network, Food & Wine, Taste of Home and more.

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