
Brazil produces 225,000 tons of yam annually, what represents
approximately 45% of South America’s total production,
but only 0.6% of the world’s production. The yam is
grown from the mild subtropical regions in the State of
Paraná to the tropical regions in the States of Piauí
and Maranhão.
The
yam is marketed in boxes weighing 30 and 50 pounds, i.e.,
13.6-kg and 22.7-kg respectively.
Yam is very nutritious
This tuber contains high contents of carbohydrates, proteins,
vitamins B and C and mineral salts. Several authors write
that during the tuber storage a large portion of the vitamin
C (after 4 months) is lost, but the largest portion remains
intact during the cooking.
The yam is also delicious and can be eaten
in a similar way to the English Potato. It can be either
cooked or fried. When ground, it can become a flour used
for preparing breads; cooked, it can become quite a tasty
salad or soup.
The recipes using English Potato can use the yam. How about
experiencing such a substitution?