Seasoned Sweet Potato Oven Fries

There is nothing that makes a burger taste better than a side of delicious french fries.  But we all know traditional french fries made with white potatoes deep fried in oil are a nutrition don't.  Giving up bad-for-you-foods doesn't need to include french fries, you just need to shift your thinking and discover oven fries.

I'll be honest, oven fries aren't quite as crisp as something that came out of a deep fat fryer, but they're pretty close.  Baking fries in a hot oven slashes the fat and calorie content of fries dramatically.  Nutritionally speaking, white potatoes and sweet potatoes are surprisingly comparable, but sweet potatoes get extra points for being an excellent source of beta-carotene and antioxidants, and having a lower glycemic index than white potatoes.  They have a natural sweetness making them a kid-friendly substitution.

Even sweet potato fries can get a little boring, so we make seasoned fries using different salt-free seasoning mixes.  We served these alongside Arizona's Black Bean Burgers, so we used a mix of cumin and a southwest seasoning blend - and they were pretty fantastic.  Try substituting two teaspoons of your favorite seasoning in this recipe to create a side dish that's entirely your own.  Enjoy!

Seasoned Sweet Potato Oven Fries, Serves 6
4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
1 T. canola oil
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. Penzeys Arizona Dreaming, or other southwest seasoning blend
1/2 tsp. salt

Slice sweet potatoes into quarters, then slice quarters into 1/4" wedges.  Put potatoes in a large plastic bag, add oil and seasonings, shake well to coat.  Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a greased baking sheet.  Bake at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes, shaking pan every 10 minutes.