She Strengthens

Tropical Twist on Classic Mashed Potatoes

Looking for a flavorful alternative to traditional mashed potatoes? Chef Randy Zweiban of Nacional 27 in Chicago shares his recipe for Boniato and Red Potato Mash, a dish that will add a tropical spin to your meal.

What You’ll Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need to visit a specialty grocery store or Latin market to find boniato, a type of tropical sweet potato. This ingredient is worth seeking out, as it adds a unique flavor and texture to the dish.

Yield and Difficulty

This recipe yields 8 servings and is considered easy to make, with a total cooking time of 1 hour and active cooking time of 35 minutes.

The Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boniato (tropical sweet potato)
• 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned potatoes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onions
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup roasted garlic (see note)

Preparing the Potatoes

To start, peel the boniato and red potatoes, then chop them into large pieces. Place each type of potato in a separate container of water.

Cooking the Potatoes

Fill two medium saucepans with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt and cook the boniato and potatoes separately until fork tender.

Caramelizing the Onions

In a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the oil and cook the onion until caramelized. Deglaze the pan with sherry vinegar and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Reducing the Cream

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, reduce the heavy cream by half. Whisk in the roasted garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Mashing the Potatoes

In a large stainless-steel mixing bowl, combine the cooked potatoes and caramelized onions. Add the cream a little at a time while mashing the potatoes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving and Storage

The mashed mixture can be kept in the stainless-steel bowl covered with aluminum foil over a pot of simmering water for up to 1 hour before serving. This allows you to prepare the dish ahead of time and keep it warm until you’re ready to serve.

With its unique flavor and creamy texture, this Boniato and Red Potato Mash is sure to become a new favorite in your household. Give it a try and experience the tropical twist on classic mashed potatoes!