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sweet potato with ricotta and pecan & date topping with thyme. A human hand is holding one up.

Sweet Potato Rounds with Whipped Ricotta & Pecans

Mallory
These Sweet Potatoes with Ricotta & an Orange, Pecan & Date topping are perfect to serve as an appetizer for a special occasion. These are a great option if you want to serve something unique and if you have gluten-free guests!
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Course Appetizer
Cuisine American

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For Sweet Potato Rounds

For Whipped Ricotta Dip

For Pecan & Date Topping

  • ½ cup chopped dates
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ½ tablespoon honey or hot honey

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425℉ (218°C). Spray a parchment-lined baking sheet with oil. Give the sweet potatoes a good rinse. You can remove the skin if you want, but I keep it on for more texture and dietary fiber. Slice the potato widthwise into slices. Pile the slices on the baking sheet and coat with olive oil, salt & black pepper. Line the sweet potato slices in a single layer. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Cooking time will vary.
  • While the potatoes roast, make the Whipped Ricotta. Add the ricotta cheese, olive oil, honey, orange zest, fresh thyme, and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes pushing down the sides as needed. 
  • Make the pecan topping by mixing chopped dates, chopped pecans, honey, orange zest and fresh thyme in a small bowl. Heat a small skillet on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the pecan & date mixture. Heat the mixture, stirring frequently until warmed. 
  • Assemble the sweet potatoes by adding a layer of the whipped ricotta and spoonful of the pecan date mixture on top. 

Video

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Bake the sweet potato rounds in a single layer. You may need to do them in batches depending on the size of your baking sheet.
  • Flip the slices at the halfway mark, around 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them in the last 5-10 minutes to make sure they don't burn!
  • Use full fat ricotta cheese for the most creamy end result.
  • Drain the liquid out of your ricotta before adding it to the blender or food processor. This helps the dip be more creamy.
  • It will take a few minutes for the ricotta to get creamy in the blender or food processor so be patient!
  • Dates can be sticky to chop. To make them less sticky, freeze them for 10-15 minutes.
Meal Prep & Storage
  • Meal Prep - you can prep each component of this recipe in advance! Store in separate airtight containers in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Assemble right before serving. The components will stay good in the fridge for 1-3 days.
  • Storage - Leftovers of these sweet potatoes with ricotta keep relatively well. Store in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They won't look as pretty, but they'll still taste good!
Dietitian Tip
Many holiday appetizers are served on slices of crostini bread. Using Sweet Potato Rounds in place of bread is a great option to add toppings to if you are gluten-free or serving people who are! They taste great and also provide dietary fiber and important nutrients including antioxidants and vitamins A and C.
For more nutrition information and tips, visit mallorythedietitian.com. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 😊
Keyword gluten free
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