Caribbean Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad
Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s vegan culinary program, Compassionate Cuisine, is led by award-winning chef and author Linda Soper-Kolton.
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced, about 2 teaspoons
- 2 teaspoons real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup fresh or frozen and defrosted corn kernels
- 2 to 3 scallions, sliced thinly on the diagonal, white and green parts
- 1 cup roasted, salted peanuts, roughly chopped
- Cilantro or parsley, roughly chopped for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place sweet potatoes on the baking tray in a pile. Drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle with cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt. Toss together with your hands then arrange in a single layer on the tray. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the lime juice, garlic, syrup, and mustard. When potatoes are done, set aside to cool for about 10 minutes then place in the bowl with the dressing. Add black beans, corn, and scallions. Toss to combine. Top with chopped peanuts and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve immediately or refrigerate to chill before serving.
Recipe Note
Like a tropical breeze that beckons you to relax and linger in your lounge chair, this festive warm-weather dish invites you to slow down and dine on island time so you can enjoy the vibrant colors, bright flavors, and playful textures. In one mouthful, you’ll taste the caramel sweetness of the potatoes, in another, the spiciness of the cayenne and garlic, then the crunch and soulfulness of the peanuts. Wait, what’s that? Oh yes! The sweet, fresh, creamy burst of corn. And while you’ll make this dish again and again because of the taste, you’ll push away from the table, belly filled, knowing you were nourished with fiber, vitamins, protein, and healthy carbs. Surely, you’ll fall in love, but save some for the rest of us!
