AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Growing underground even in poor soils, the sweet potato is a humble vegetable. However, this simple starch shines in February, which is National Sweet Potato Month.

Wendiam Sawadgo, an economist with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, said sweet potatoes are an important crop in the Yellowhammer State. That is demonstrated by their distinction as Alabama’s official state vegetable, as well as the amount of tubers grown in the state.

“Alabama farmers harvested 1,272 acres of sweet potatoes in 2022, which allows us to claim the final spot in the Top 10 of sweet potato producing states in the U.S.,” Sawadgo said. “Interestingly, that production comes mainly from two counties. Baldwin County claims 71% of the state’s harvest, with Cullman County claiming the remaining 19%.”

Sweet Grown Alabama Sweet Potatoes

Alabama ranks No. 10 nationally in sweet potato production. Photo above and feature photo both courtesy Alabama Farmers Federation.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries helps consumers identify state-grown produce through its Sweet Grown Alabama marketing program. In 2015 — the most recent year that the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported numbers for the state — sweet potato production in Alabama had a value of $11.8 million. That means there are plenty of locally grown sweet potatoes available for purchase.

Additionally, Sawadgo and five other Alabama Extension and Auburn University authors conducted a survey related to a consumer’s willingness to pay for sweet potatoes. It showed that they are willing to pay more for sweet potatoes bearing the Sweet Grown Alabama logo. The findings were released in 2023, but the sentiment still rings true three years later.

“People tend to prefer local produce and are willing to pay a premium for such products,” Sawadgo said. “We specifically chose sweet potatoes for the study because of their importance to the state. We also expected consumers would have a strong connection to the product.”

For National Sweet Potato Month 2026, that kind of connection can translate into real dollars for farmers who sell directly to the public.

“The study showed consumers were willing to pay a $1 premium for sweet potatoes grown in Alabama compared to those grown outside the state,” Sawadgo said. “Additionally, they were willing to pay another $1 premium if the sweet potatoes came from a Sweet Grown Alabama farm rather than an Alabama farm that is not part of the branding program.”

Sawadgo said those results suggest consumers place value on products branded through the Sweet Grown Alabama program.

A Healthy Sweet

The Good-For-You Nachos recipe is a healthy take on a classic dish where people can add their favorite toppings.

Unlike other sugary foods, sweet potatoes boast a range of health benefits. Their natural sweetness comes from roughly 5 to 10 grams of sugar. Thanks to their high fiber content, sweet potatoes can slow the body’s absorption of sugar and support a healthy digestive system.

A single sweet potato can have 102% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A. They are also sources of B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin and zinc. Plus, they are considered a fat-free food.

Sweet potatoes are versatile. They can be roasted, baked, mashed or fried. For Sawadgo, the perfect sweet potato preparation involves a casserole dish.

“My mother-in-law, Paula, makes a sweet potato soufflé that is my favorite,” Sawadgo said. “She adds a little coconut flavor to it, which makes it amazing. It may not be the healthiest recipe featuring sweet potatoes, but it’s great to enjoy during the holidays. On a regular basis, I enjoy roasted sweet potatoes or oven-baked sweet potato fries.”

Find Paula’s recipe for sweet potato soufflé below. Learn how to make Good-For-You Nachos using sweet potatoes on Alabama Extension’s YouTube page. To discover more information about sweet potatoes, including additional recipes from Alabama Extension, search for sweet potatoes at aces.edu.

Paula’s Sweet Potato Soufflé

Ingredients

• 6 cups sweet potatoes from 4 to 5 medium potatoes
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
• 6 eggs
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract

Pecan Topping Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups pecans, chopped
• ½ cup light-brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray. Spread sweet potatoes on pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 1 hour or until tender in the middle. Remove and let cool. Remove skin by scooping out sweet potato flesh. Reset oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large mixing bowl, blend sweet potatoes until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Pour mixture into a prepared dish. Combine all topping ingredients, mixing until evenly moistened and combined. Scatter the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes. Bake until potatoes feel firm to the touch, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. If the topping begins to darken before potatoes are firm, place foil loosely over the top of the dish to prevent overcooking.