The mystery I really want to solve is why most people limit it to marshmallow casserole at Thanksgiving! If your sweet potato repertoire is limited, get to the farmers market and try out one of these ideas:

• Bake or grill whole at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, choosing similarly sized roots for uniform cooking.

• Dip in a sauce of tamari, mirin, sugar, rice vinegar, ginger and scallions. Or split open and douse with butter and chives.

• Bake extra to add to breads, biscuits, pies and cakes, or freeze for later use.

• Simmer peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in soup, chili, or Thai, Indian or Indonesian coconut curries.

• Combine with other cubed or sliced root vegetables, toss with olive oil and roast with garlic and fresh herbs.

• Cut into fries, toss with oil, salt and chipotle powder and roast on a cookie sheet for oven fries.

• Boil with potatoes and serve mashed.