Candied Sweet Potato 大学芋

1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Leave the skin on for a traditional appearance and extra texture. Cut them diagonally into bite-sized wedges or irregular chunks of approximately 1–1½ inches. Soak the pieces in cold water for 5 minutes to remove excess surface starch.

2. Drain and Dry: Drain the sweet potatoes and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. Removing excess moisture helps them brown evenly during cooking.

3. Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Heat the neutral cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet potato pieces in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and cook for about 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork. Reduce the heat if the edges brown too quickly. Cook in batches if necessary.

4. Prepare the Sweet Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, honey, soy sauce, water, and rice vinegar. Stir until well mixed. Set aside while the sweet potatoes finish cooking.

5. Make the Syrup: Once the sweet potatoes are tender and golden, transfer them temporarily to a plate. Remove excess oil from the skillet, leaving only a thin coating. Pour the glaze mixture into the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves and the syrup begins to thicken.

6. Coat the Sweet Potatoes: Return the cooked sweet potato pieces to the skillet. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the glossy syrup. Continue cooking for 1–2 minutes until the glaze clings to the sweet potatoes. Avoid cooking too long, as the syrup can become hard or burn.

7. Add Sesame Seeds: Turn off the heat and sprinkle the sweet potatoes with black sesame seeds. Add white sesame seeds if desired. Gently toss once more to distribute the seeds evenly.

8. Cool and Serve: Transfer the glazed sweet potatoes to a serving plate or parchment-lined tray. Allow them to cool for 2–3 minutes so the syrup sets slightly. Serve warm for a delicious combination of crispy edges, soft centers, and sweet, nutty flavors.