Glossary of food terms: Y

Yam

The yam is a staple food in many tropical countries, particularly the Caribbean. Yams have brown tough skins and the flesh can vary in colour - anything from white to yellow to purple - depending on the variety.

Small yams can be cooked in their skins, but larger ones should be peeled and blanched for ten to 20 minutes in boiling salted water before being used. Yams can be used in the same way as potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Serve mashed yams with plenty of butter and seasoning as an accompaniment to meat or other vegetable dishes. Make yam chips or bake yams in their skins.

• Crisp sweet and sour pork with yam chips
• Jerk Kiev with yam forestière
• Lamb, yam and butternut squash soup