In Season: Sweet potatoes are usually harvested in the early fall. Since they store well, they are available year-round in most markets.

What to Look For: There are two main varieties of sweet potato: the orange-fleshed sweet potato has sweet, bright-orange flesh that takes on a creamy texture when cooked. These sweet potatoes are sometimes labeled as yams. The yellow-fleshed variety is more mealy and less sweet than orange sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be long and tapered or squat with rounded ends.

How to Store: Store sweet potatoes loose in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.

Roasted sweet potato slices are tossed with a simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, and pecans. A pinch of cayenne pepper offsets the buttery sweetness of this classic fall side dish.

Creamy sweet potatoes are whipped with eggs, butter, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make this wonderful old-fashioned pie. No need to peel the sweet potatoes in this recipe: the skins slip off easily once the potatoes are steamed.

Mashed sweet potato makes this bundt cake extra-moist, while bourbon adds a buttery bite. You can substitute apple juice for the bourbon for equally delicious results.

The savory complexity of Old Bay seasoning pairs beautifully with roasted sweet potatoes. Try experimenting with other savory spice mixes in this recipe too, such as chili powder or curry powder.

Roasting chunks of sweet potatoes caramelizes them -- they're great to eat all on their own or tossed with crunchy nuts, tangy cheese, and crisp watercress, as in this flavorful salad. A simple lemon-honey vinaigrette ties everything together.

Coconut milk, Thai red-curry paste, and maple syrup add knockout flavor to this simple, impressive side dish. You can find Thai curry paste in the international aisle of many supermarkets, or at any Asian grocery.

In this appetizer version of the perennial Thanksgiving side dish, glazed sweet potatoes and mini marshmallows are arranged on top of buttered rustic-bread slices and then broiled. Kids and adults alike will clamor for this fun, easy snack.

Russet and sweet potatoes are roasted with whole garlic cloves until tender. Once scooped out of their skins, everything is mashed with tangy yogurt and fresh parsley.

Mashed sweet potatoes aren't just a tasty side dish -- they also make a maple-sweet showstopper dessert with only 15 minutes of prep. With main ingredients of sweet potatoes, eggs, and milk, this impressive dessert is budget-friendly too.

To make this colorful twist on a favorite appetizer, sweet potatoes are roasted, scooped out, and then mashed with buttermilk and paprika. The mashed potato mixture is mounded back into the tender skins and topped with bacon, sour cream, and sliced scallion.

Black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, and fresh cilantro are tossed with a super-simple lime vinaigrette. This side dish is excellent with roast pork loin, or even on its own.

The humble sweet potato reaches great heights in this impressive layer cake. The moist, lightly spiced cake layers are slathered with white chocolate mousse and sprinkled with toasted macadamia nuts.

This rich, puddinglike spoon bread gets sweetness from brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and cloves. Get a head start on preparation by roasting the sweet potatoes a day in advance.

Caramelized onions get a tangy-sweet kick from balsamic vinegar. Paired with Parmesan cheese, they make a luscious topping for simple baked sweet potatoes.

In this ultrasimple side dish, sliced sweet potatoes are simmered on the stovetop with butter and maple syrup, then baked in the oven until tender. You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat in the microwave just before serving.

Crunchy pecan-praline topping provides the perfect contrast in texture to the creamy, custardy sweet-potato filling in this pie. If you're in a hurry, you can use store-bought pie crust.

Never thought of grilling sweet potatoes before? They make an easy, smoky-sweet side dish when tossed with thyme, butter, and scallions.

Bourbon and brown sugar have a natural affinity for sweet potatoes. This simple side dish can be roasted in the oven along with the main dish such as turkey, ham, or pork loin.

Sauteed onions, red bell pepper, and jalapeno are pureed with roasted sweet potatoes to make this nutritious soup. The garnish of diced apple glazed with curry powder and white wine vinegar provides a splendid contrast of flavor and texture.

Layers of paper-thin buttery phyllo overlap to form a delicate base for a sweet potato souffle that's baked in a springform pan. This is an elegant alternative to a traditional pie.

Sage adds a savory note to sweet-potato casserole topped with crunchy toasted breadcrumbs. Best of all: It can be made two days ahead of time.

Thick, oven-baked sweet potato wedges are a great accompaniment to casual meals such as roast chicken or meat loaf. An easy dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice-wine vinegar, and toasted sesame oil makes the sweet potatoes especially irresistible.

The custard filling in this Southern classic is creamier and less dense than pumpkin pie, as well as brighter in color. This sweet potato pie has a graham-cracker crust.

Cinnamon and ginger complement the sweet potatoes in this easy but exotic-tasting chicken stew. Fluffy couscous absorbs the aromatic sauce.

Fluffy homemade focaccia bread is topped with creamy Gouda cheese, toasted walnuts, fragrant rosemary, and brown-sugar-glazed sweet potato slices. Serve this unique bread as a side dish with roast pork or turkey, or cut into small squares as an appetizer.

The brilliant orange and green of this curry-seasoned side dish looks lovely on the table. In place of the spinach, also try kale or broccoli rabe.

Inspired by stuffed cannelloni, this vegetarian dish consists of blanched sweet potato slices wrapped around pureed sweet potato and diced apple, topped with shaved Parmesan and toasted walnuts. The remarkably rich taste and vibrant appearance make it an impressive and nutritious addition to the meal.

Kale and tofu seasoned with onion, garlic, and rosemary make a colorful and tasty stuffing for sweet potatoes. Delight vegetarian guests with this unique entree.

The filling of this sweet potato pie is marvelously light and fluffy. Fragrant lemon zest adds nuance to the filling in addition to sweet cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg.

Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce add earthy, smoky spice to this creamy pureed soup. Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers so you'll have quick, easy meals to look forward to all season long.

Orange sweet potatoes give a soft texture and a beautiful golden color to these fluffy biscuits. Serve them as a side dish with a festive fall meal, or for breakfast with ham and eggs.

Surprise the family this weekend with a sweet alternative to standard breakfast hash browns. Chill the sweet potatoes in the refrigerator to prevent them from falling apart when they are sauteed.

In this sweet-and-savory side dish, sweet potato wedges are coated in a glaze of orange juice and zest, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. The potatoes are done when the caramelized sugar bubbles and browns around the sides of the pan.

Caramelized sweet potatoes and red onion pair well with green beans and walnuts in this salad. The yogurt-and-garlic dressing adds a tangy finishing touch.

Don't wait until the holidays to enjoy the honeyed flavor and velvety texture of sweet potatoes. Their buttery flesh and sweet taste make them enjoyable simply mashed.

Flavored with onion, garlic, and thyme, these savory mini souffles will be a dinnertime hit. They get their crusty tops from melted Gruyere cheese.

Roasted sweet potatoes, allspice, and cinnamon enhance this rich, silky custard dessert. Roast and puree the sweet potatoes a day in advance for faster preparation.

In a whole new twist on potato salad, roasted sweet potatoes and sliced scallions are tossed in a tangy dressing of orange juice, fresh ginger, and Dijon mustard. This lively side dish dresses up the simplest of main courses.

Roasted sweet potatoes and tart Granny Smith apples form the base of these light, fluffy souffles. Served hot out of the oven sprinkled with powdered sugar, these make an impressive dessert for fall dinner parties.