Good for Publix! They significantly lowered their prices on Sweet Potatoes this year in comparison to last year. They're on sale this week through Wednesday night (Dec. 23) for $0.29/lb. I know Walmart can beat this price at $0.25 and has already done so this season, but since we don't live near a Super Walmart, I'm grateful for the drop in Publix's prices. Paul came with me to the grocery store to assist in the purchasing process as we had lots to buy for the upcoming family visit. I told him to pick as many sweet potatoes as he wanted. We'd eat on 'em all week if we needed to. Well, he did. The little plastic bag you put produce in was overflowing and it busted on the poor bag lady at checkout. Just a warning if you plan on buying 11 sweet potatoes at once, split them up between bags or put them in a stronger plastic bag like what your groceries get bagged in at checkout. I was positively stunned that we paid only $2.08 for those 'taters. (No tax.)

So, what do you do with all those sweet potatoes? I have numerous ideas. However, since my on-your-feet time is limited, I'll be going for the easiest methods saving the more challenging work for my mother- and sister-in-law.

• First of all, flash freezing is always an option (and a requirement for me). I just cut 'em up and store them in freezer-safe Ziplocks. They can easily be removed and popped straight in the oven or in boiling water to cook.
• A favorite of ours is to put them on a jelly-roll pan (cookie sheet with sides) covered in oil and seasonings (I love seasoned salt and rosemary. This week, I tried dill. Although it's more expected on white potatoes, I thought it was a fine combo since I don't really like my potatoes to taste sweet.), and roasted in the oven for 30+ minutes.
• I love mixing 1/2 or 2/3 white potatoes with the rest sweet for a little healthier mashed potato. I dress the potatoes the same way I normally would--rosemary and garlic. Again, I don't like sweet sweet potatoes and other than the orange color, my mashed potatoes taste very much like regular mashed potatoes.
• Then, there's plain old-fashioned baked sweet potatoes. Paul wants them served Southern-style with black-eyed peas, spinach, and corn bread. It will be easiest to bake them in the oven for the larger crowd.
• And if you really like sweet potatoes, there's always a sweet potato casserole or pie. I don't know of a recipe to recommend, however.

I really love roasted sweet potatoes, baked sweet potato fries, and taking some of the guilt out of mashed potatoes by adding the more healthy sweet potatoes. By stocking up and freezing sweet potatoes at peak season when prices are low, I will have a quick side dish ready to cook in almost any manner. I plan on making sure I have enough to last into the spring, which will be so nice when my time will be focused on a baby. Not to mention, I'd like to use some to make baby food.

If you have a great recipe for taking advantage of these economically-priced sweet potatoes, please share via comment or email. I'm always up for expanding my knowledge even if someone else will have to do the majority of the work right now!