Although yams and sweet potatoes look the same, they are actually two different things. Yams are mainly grown in South America, the Caribbean as well as some parts of Africa. If you are interested in buying yams at your local grocery store then check out the article below. A list of stores that usually sell yams is also available so you can always buy from there.
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Which section or aisle to find yams in grocery store
Yams can be found at the produce section in grocery store. They are usually placed close to the sweet potatoes so you need to look closely.
The next place where you can find yams in grocery store is at the canned goods section. Here you will be able to find canned yams.
What grocery stores sell yams?
Amazon– this is the best place to buy yams mainly because they usually have different varieties in stock. Buying yams on Amazon is very convenient since it is an online store.
Walmart– yams can be found at Walmart they usually have fresh yams as well as the canned yams. If you are searching for a specific brand of yams you can always check product availability on Walmart’s website.
Whole foods market– they usually have yams in store, you can always check the canned goods section or the produce section.
Kroger– they have their own store brand of canned yams but, you can also find fresh yams at the produce section.
Albertsons– you can find yams at Albertsons they usually have them in store. If you are in need of a certain brand then head over to their website they usually show all the available options.
Sprouts farmers market– you can find yams at Sprouts farmers market.
King Soopers– check for yams at King Soopers, they usually have them in stock.
Safeway– if there is a Safeway store in your area then you can always buy yams there. They usually keep them at the produce section and at the canned goods section.
Publix– if there is a Publix store near you then you can buy yams there. They usually have fresh yams as well as canned yams so you can choose the ones that you prefer.
Ralphs– yams can be found at Ralphs so you can always buy from there. They usually have the fresh yams and the canned yams.
Fred Meyer– they usually sell canned yams so you can always buy from there.
Wegmans– you can find yams at Wegmans so you can always choose to buy from there.
Piggly Wiggly– canned yams can be found at Piggly Wiggly so you can always buy from there.
Meijer– you can buy canned yams at Meijer they sometimes have them in store. If you are in need of a specific brand then simply check product availability on their website.
How to use yams
Use yams to make fries
Yams can be used to make fries. In order to make the fries, simply peel the yams and cut them into the same shape as regular fries. Place them in a frying pan and cook them until they are nice and crispy. You can serve the fries with any dipping sauce of your choice.
Use yams to make candied yams
Candied yams is popular dish that is prepared on Thanksgiving Day. Many people use sweet potatoes to prepare this dish but, originally it was made using yams. So if you have yams in your pantry you can use them to make this amazing dish.
Use yams to make a mash
Yams can also be used to make a mash. In order to make the mash you can simply boil the yams. You can include your favourite herbs. Once the yams are ready you can then mash them and serve them with your favourite type of meat or vegetables.
Use yams in stir fries
When making a stir fry you can always incorporate yams. They will add more flavour to the stir fry especially if they are cooked until they are a bit crispy.
Difference between sweet potatoes and yams
Although yams and sweet potatoes have a similar appearance, they are actually two different things and they belong to different families. Yams are root vegetables that belong to the lily family whereas sweet potatoes are root vegetables that belong to the morning glory family. In terms of taste, yams are much sweeter that sweet potatoes. Furthermore, yams are larger than sweet potatoes.
NB: although yams and sweet potatoes are from 2 different families they can actually be used interchangeably in recipes.
How to store yams
Store yams at room temperature
Yams should be stored in a cool, dry and dark area or at room temperature. Avoid areas that have moisture as this could cause the yams to turn bad. When storing yams in these conditions make sure that you do not wash them as this can cause them to rot easily. When you are ready to use your yams that is when you can wash them.
Store yams in the freezer
NB: this method requires you to boil the yams before storing them
Yams can also be stored in the freezer however, you need to start by boiling them until they are tender but, still firm on the inside. Usually you can boil the yams for about 10 to 15 minutes. One the yams are ready leave them to cool down and then place them in a freezer bag. Take out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. Label the bag with date in which you are storing the yams in the freezer. This will help you to recall when they are likely to turn bad. Yams that are stored using this method can last for up to a year.
Conclusion
Yams can be found in any of the aisles stated above. It is important to know that most of the stores in this article have online shopping platforms, this means that you can easily buy yams from the comfort of your house without having to physically visit the store.
