Great Great Aunt Jessie’s 1940’s Cranberry Sweet Potato Patties Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8-10 patties
Recipe Category: Yam/Sweet Potato
Keywords: Potato, Vegetable, Low Protein, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, Thanksgiving, <30 Mins, Oven
Description:
A vintage gem from the 1940s, this delightful recipe is found in Great Great Aunt Jessie’s scrapbook, passed down through generations. The original recipe comes from The Louisville Times, dated November 13, 1952, where it was featured as part of a Thanksgiving meal guide, alongside instructions on roasting turkey and preparing stuffing. While the stuffing recipe didn’t quite make the cut, this sweet potato patty creation is a perfect balance of hearty sweetness and zesty cranberry flavor, making it a standout dish for any holiday gathering, especially Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sweet potatoes | 2 medium |
| Egg | 1 |
| Milk | 1/3 cup |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Shortening | 1/4 cup |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh cranberries | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 271.2 kcal |
| Total Fat | 7.9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 27.9 mg |
| Sodium | 417.1 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 47.2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugars | 21.3 g |
| Protein | 4.1 g |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Begin by peeling and mashing the sweet potatoes until smooth. This will serve as the base for your patties.
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Mix the Ingredients: Add the egg, milk, salt, and shortening to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir well until everything is thoroughly combined into a smooth mixture.
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Form the Patties: Shape the mixture into 3-inch patties. Once shaped, gently roll each patty in bread crumbs to give them a light, crispy exterior once baked.
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Bake the Patties: Place the patties in a shallow, greased baking pan. Bake at 400°F (moderate oven) for 15 minutes or until the patties are golden and firm.
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Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: While the patties bake, combine the orange juice, orange rind, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for about 5 minutes.
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Add Cranberries: Stir in the fresh cranberries, continuing to cook for another 5 minutes, or until the berries begin to burst and the sauce thickens.
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Finish Baking: After 15 minutes of baking, remove the patties from the oven. Spoon a generous amount of the cranberry-orange sauce over each patty, then return the pan to the oven for an additional 5 minutes of baking.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the cranberry sauce has set on top of the patties and everything is baked to perfection, serve immediately. These sweet potato patties are a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving table, bringing both flavor and color to the feast.
Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Sweet Potato Patties:
- Sweet Potato Choice: Choose firm, medium-sized sweet potatoes for the best texture in your patties.
- Cranberries: Use fresh cranberries for the sauce to give it that vibrant, tart kick. If fresh cranberries are unavailable, you can substitute with frozen cranberries, but ensure they are well-thawed before cooking.
- Texture Variations: For a crunchier patty, consider adding some finely chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) into the patty mixture before baking.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the sweet potato patties and refrigerate them for up to a day before baking. Simply bake them when ready and prepare the cranberry sauce fresh.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
These Cranberry Sweet Potato Patties are not only a delicious blast from the past but also an easy and nutritious addition to your Thanksgiving spread. The creamy texture of sweet potatoes pairs wonderfully with the tangy cranberry sauce, making each bite a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. Plus, the patties are a fantastic way to sneak in a healthy vegetable into your meal without compromising on taste.
This dish is sure to become a new family favorite, just like it was for Great Great Aunt Jessie and her loved ones back in the 1950s. Whether served as a side dish or a unique appetizer, these patties will bring a warm, nostalgic touch to your holiday meals.
Enjoy this delightful recipe, and share the flavors of history with your family and friends!
