We had a big, knobbly red yam sitting in our vegetable bowl for quite a while, begging to be used for something really good. We cut it up and fried it until golden and crispy for these unusual burritos, and we're so glad we did. Yams, with their natural sweetness, take well to smoky spice, so we coated the chunks with smoked paprika and powdered chipotle, which blended perfectly with creamy black beans and a healthy helping of simple salsa. Completely vegetarian and very filling!
Yam and Black Bean Burritos
serves 2
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
2 teaspoons smoked paprika - or add 1 teaspoon chipotle - if you prefer it hot!
Salt and pepper
1 large red yam, scrubbed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 can black beans
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 sour cream
Wheat tortillas or wraps
Salsa fresca
Sour cream
Toss the yam cubes with the smoked paprika, some salt and pepper and a little extra vegetable oil. Heat the vegetable oil over high heat and add the cumin, shaking to keep them from burning. Cook for just a few moments or until toasted and fragrant. Turn the heat to medium and add the yam. Cook, stirring, until the edges are golden and the insides are tender - about 8-10 minutes. Turn out into a bowl and set aside.
Add the beans and their juice to the skillet and heat until warmed through. Stir in the cilantro and sour cream and heat just until warm.
Pile the yams, beans, and some salsa fresca together on a burrito, roll up and eat!
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This looks really great. I never would have thought of yams in a burrito, but now that I have seen it, it makes perfect sense.
view rachel's profile
I make a similar filling for tacos (sans sour cream) and garnish it with a little chopped red onion and crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese. It's one of my favorites.
view arin's profile
This sounds completely delicious, and I"m wondering how it tastes cold. It sounds like it would be an interesting alternative / addition to chips & salsa that could be made the night before a party.
view rocketslide's profile
THis sounds TASTY!!
view Blue_roses's profile
i first had a sweet potato/black bean burrito at blockhead burritos in new york, of all places. it was fantastic!
i bet this would be super with plantains or even bananas instead of yams, too. toss in a smidge of allspice...very caribbean!
view thinkingwoman's profile
I just made them. One for dinner and one for lunch tomorrow. I added pepperjack cheese to the black bean mixture for oooey gooey factor. YUM!
view shayna's profile
I love including yams in breakfast burritos. In fact, I blogged about it a few months ago: Behind the Tea Table
view AnnRedleaf's profile
these sound delicious! i would never have thought to try yams in a burrito... i often do zucchini or yellow squash with black beans, salsa, and a little light sour cream, in a multigrain tortilla. i can't wait to try the yams!
view Kate320's profile
I am definitely trying this soon! BTW Ann, I clicked on your site, but my computer showed a decorative sidebar that obscured a good part of your writing. Nice photos, tho.
view jen_g's profile