Unfortunately we can’t grow sweet potatoes or yams in the North, the conditions just aren’t right. One day we experimented with using some sweet potatoes and applesauce (hopefully homemade). Low and behold this leather became a favorite of Ryan’s for hiking . Sweet potatoes and yams are a great source of complex carbohydrate for energy, and their tad of sweetness blends nicely with apples and cinnamon for a sweet treat. These are also very light and make for a great sweet mountain treat.
We use the 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator because it has time and temperature settings. It’s worth the small investment!! Also the silicone sheets are so worth it if you want to get perfect dehydration.
Yield: 1/2 of large yam and 1 cup of applesauce make one leather, which can dictate how much you want to make.
Ingredients:
1 cup Yam (Orange fleshed sweet potatoes)
1 cup Applesauce- sweetened or unsweetened
Honey to taste if you want more sweetness
Cinnamon to taste
Water as needed
Instructions:
– Wash and poke holes in yams and then bake in oven for 1 hour or cook on the stove until soft.
– Let cool, remove skin, and cut into chunks
– In food processor, puree potato and 1 cup applesauce, cinnamon, and water until smooth.
– Spread on silicone dehydration sheet or parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thick.
– Dry on dehydrator trays for 4 hours at 135°F.
– You will need to check this recipe at 4 hours. About that time peel leather and turn over, continuing to dry. Try not to over dry otherwise you will have chips.
– Store in glass or plastic bag, or roll with wax paper.
Find a version of this recipe with red bell peppers in our StHealthy Dehydration and Canning Guide.