Healthy Food Blog

■ Store in a cool, dark area in an open container or bag that allows air flow. Use within 2 weeks for best quality. Refrigeration of raw sweet potatoes can cause a hard center and an unpleasant taste.

■ Scrub under cool running water just before using.

Fresh/Raw: Serve sticks or thin rounds with your favorite dip, or grate and toss in a salad.

❁ Choose firm, smooth skinned sweet potatoes without cuts, soft spots or bruises.

❁ Fresh sweet potatoes are likely to be lowest cost and best quality from October to January.

❁ Frozen and canned sweet potatoes (yams) are available year-round.

When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:

❁ find and remove small rocks, seeds or plant parts from dry split peas.

❁ Rinse split peas in a colander under cool running water.

❁ Wash, peel or chop vegetables.

■ To maximize shelf life, store dry split peas in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Stored well, they keep their quality for 2 years or longer.

■ Cooked split peas can be refrigerated for up to a week.