Southern Sweet Potato Salad

Name: Southern Sweet Potato Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6-8 servings.
Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 in cubes; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup sliced celery; 1/3 cup chopped dates; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; Lettuce leaves; 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

I do some catering, so I'm always looking for good new recipes. I love to take this deliciously different potato salad to potlucks and cookouts. Even folks who are reluctant to try it at first come back for more! —Marlyn Woods, Lakeland, Florida

Ingredients

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 in cubes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Lettuce leaves
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

Directions

In a medium saucepan, cook sweet potatoes in boiling salted water just until tender, about 5-8 minutes (do not overcook). Drain; toss with the lemon juice.
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, orange juice, honey, orange zest, ginger, salt and nutmeg. Add the warm potatoes, celery and dates. Toss to coat well. Cover and chill.
Before serving, gently stir in pecans. Spoon salad onto a lettuce-lined platter. Arrange oranges around salad.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 381 calories, 28g fat (4g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Southern Sweet Potato Salad in Taste of Home February/March 1994

Reviews

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Average Rating:

wytammic

Nov 27, 2008

We made this as a new recipe for Thanksgiving and it was just gross. It might have been edible without the ginger, but even then, I cannot imagine it tasting good. We followed the recipe exactly and cannot imagine how this became a blue ribbon recipe.
tiekirae

Nov 27, 2008

This recipe was disgusting. The ginger flavor overwhelmed everything else. It certainly did not taste like anything I've ever had in the South. It was fun to make and pretty to look at, but gross. :(