Sweet Potato, Carrot and Dried Fruit Casserole Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Sweet Potato, Carrot and Dried Fruit Casserole Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
4(201)
Notes
Read community notes

This dish is inspired by several tsimmes recipes in Joan Nathan’s “Jewish Cooking in America.” Tsimmes, a Yiddish word that means “fuss,” doesn’t have to be fussy at all. Sometimes the dish contains meat (and is fussier than this one), but sometimes it’s just fruit and vegetables. Warning: You may find yourself eating this for breakfast.

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves eight

  • 6medium carrots about 1½ pounds, peeled and cut in ¾-inch dice
  • 3medium sweet potatoes about 2¼ pounds, peeled and cut in ¾-inch dice
  • 2Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut in medium dice
  • ¼pound pitted prunes, cut in half
  • ¼pound pitted apricots, quartered
  • 2tablespoons mild honey, like clover
  • ½teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt to taste about ½ teaspoon
  • 1cup fresh orange juice
  • 1tablespoon unsalted butter

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

171 calories; 2 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 39 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 22 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 205 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Sweet Potato, Carrot and Dried Fruit Casserole Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter or oil a 3-quart baking dish.

  2. Step

    2

    Place the carrots and sweet potatoes in a steamer set above 1 inch of boiling water, and steam for five to 10 minutes, until just tender. Drain and toss with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Combine well, and scrape into the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven, and bake 40 to 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the sweet potatoes and carrots are thoroughly tender. Dot the top with butter, and bake another 10 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Remove from the heat, and serve hot or warm.

Tips

  • Sweet potatoes may be labeled as yams. Look for dark orange flesh.
  • Advance preparation: You can assemble this dish several hours before baking. You can bake it a day or two ahead of serving; reheat it in a medium oven.

Ratings

4

out of 5

201

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Tracey A.

I made this for a Thanksgiving potluck and it was hugely successful! Everyone loved it!
I made a few minor modifications:
1-1/4 lbs carrots, (Weighed on a kitchen scale)
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4" dice
2 granny smith apples unpeeled, cored and cut into medium dice
I used dried fruit, weighed on my kitchen scale and didn't use the honey (I actually forgot it but think it was a good omission.)
I used salted butter because that's what I had.

Sara Coles

I had to quadruple the recipe, but when I took it to a Passover Seder for 35 guests, they all raved about it...I guess it's a keeper!

Sheila

I peeled 3 Granny Smith apples but could use any baking apple. The dried pitted apricots were expensive in time & $ but did not contribute to end product: find an alternative. Possibly dried cranberries, no cutting. 4 med size oranges made 1 cp of fresh orange juice. Followed recipe quantities, rounding up & produce 5 qts. when cooked it became 2.5 qts. of finished product. Used freshly grated nutmeg but need more spices. Useful for buffet. Can be made a day ahead & reheat.

Anat

Carrots take longer to cook. Place them alone in steamer for as long as it takes to tender. There was too much liquid and dish wasn't ready after 50 minutes...still plenty of liquid.
Where did I go wrong?

Jo Ann

I needed a vegetarian side dish to bring to a large gathering at a local synagogue, and this recipe caught my eye. So glad I made it! It was delicious and healthy, and would also make an excellent addition to Thanksgiving dinner. I did substitute dried cranberries, instead of the prunes, and although I used butter to grease the casserole dish, I elected not to dot any on the finished product. It didn't need it. I ate leftovers cold for lunch the next day--excellent!

Gretchen

This is so good! To answer a few other people's Qs: you use dried apricots, not fresh, and I think you probably leave the lid OFF. That's what I did, since one reviewer said the dish had too much excess liquid; with no lid, the juices evaporated just enough that the dish was moist but not runny.I used 1 tsp. of honey instead of 2 T., and it seemed just right. Next time will make it vegan by using agave and omitting the butter.

David C

This was a huge Thanksgiving day hit. Played with the proportions a bit (more dried fruit, including some diced dried mango, plus some other old gift basket fruit I had left over from the previous holiday season). The key was to prepare everything the night before, except the apples, and let it all macerate in the oj. The day of, I caramelized the apples in the butter & mixed it all together before baking. The maceration created a delicious sauce & the result was a smashing success.

Tolke

I steamed the vegetables in an instant pot and the sweet potato fell apart. Next time I will try pressure cooking for just a minute or two. But even when the sweet potato disintegrated, this dish was still delicious.

debbiesue52

Overall, a very successful recipe. I made it with purple sweet potatoes. The color was gorgeous. I steamed the diced carrots and sweet potatoes in my InstantPot for 4 minutes and followed the rest of the recipe as written. It was an enjoyable and colorful addition to our Thanksgiving dinner.

Jo Ann

I needed a vegetarian side dish to bring to a large gathering at a local synagogue, and this recipe caught my eye. So glad I made it! It was delicious and healthy, and would also make an excellent addition to Thanksgiving dinner. I did substitute dried cranberries, instead of the prunes, and although I used butter to grease the casserole dish, I elected not to dot any on the finished product. It didn't need it. I ate leftovers cold for lunch the next day--excellent!

Gretchen

This is so good! To answer a few other people's Qs: you use dried apricots, not fresh, and I think you probably leave the lid OFF. That's what I did, since one reviewer said the dish had too much excess liquid; with no lid, the juices evaporated just enough that the dish was moist but not runny.I used 1 tsp. of honey instead of 2 T., and it seemed just right. Next time will make it vegan by using agave and omitting the butter.

Erika

Perhaps a stupid question, but I’ll take my chances. Do you use dried apricots or fresh apricots? Thanks!

Trepidatious Cook

no such thing as a stupid question, recipes should be very precise so questions don't arise

Leslie Oster

Do you bake this covered or uncovered???

Gina Ruben

Did you try this and what did you do about the cover?

dk

This is a great recipe. Also very forgiving. I used more dried fruits (1/3 LB), cinnamon (2 tsp), and apples (3 medium), but less butter (3/4 tbsp?) and honey (1 tbsp). I made the dish a day before without the butter. It tasted great. I'd sprayed some coconut oil on the baking dish though. Next day before the Thanksgiving dinner, I reheated the dish with the butter on the top as the recipe required, but that did not add much to the flavor. I might just skip the butter next time.

Anat

Carrots take longer to cook. Place them alone in steamer for as long as it takes to tender. There was too much liquid and dish wasn't ready after 50 minutes...still plenty of liquid.
Where did I go wrong?

irene

substitute cranberries
increase recipe for 11 people.

Sheila

I peeled 3 Granny Smith apples but could use any baking apple. The dried pitted apricots were expensive in time & $ but did not contribute to end product: find an alternative. Possibly dried cranberries, no cutting. 4 med size oranges made 1 cp of fresh orange juice. Followed recipe quantities, rounding up & produce 5 qts. when cooked it became 2.5 qts. of finished product. Used freshly grated nutmeg but need more spices. Useful for buffet. Can be made a day ahead & reheat.

Tracey A.

I made this for a Thanksgiving potluck and it was hugely successful! Everyone loved it!
I made a few minor modifications:
1-1/4 lbs carrots, (Weighed on a kitchen scale)
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4" dice
2 granny smith apples unpeeled, cored and cut into medium dice
I used dried fruit, weighed on my kitchen scale and didn't use the honey (I actually forgot it but think it was a good omission.)
I used salted butter because that's what I had.

Sara Coles

I had to quadruple the recipe, but when I took it to a Passover Seder for 35 guests, they all raved about it...I guess it's a keeper!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Sweet Potato, Carrot and Dried Fruit Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs help bind and lift the casserole for a light, set texture once baked. Sweet potato casserole can also be made without eggs, if needed.

Why are my sweet potatoes still hard after baking? ›

If the potato is still firm when squeezed, that means it needs to cook more. Baked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave, at 400°F in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or at 400°F in the oven for 10 minutes.

Why is my sweet potato casserole so watery? ›

Why is my sweet potato casserole watery? If you overcook your sweet potatoes, they may begin to absorb too much liquid, making them watery. It's important to cut your potatoes into equal-sized pieces so that they all cook at the same rate. Make sure to remove them from the steamer as soon as they are fork-tender!

How do I thicken my sweet potato casserole? ›

The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.

Why do you soak sweet potatoes before baking? ›

The cold water bath helps rinse the starch off the sweet potatoes so they're a bit more crispy. That said, if you do not have the time, you can still get crispy baked sweet potato fries by using high heat and a little drizzle of olive oil.

Can I leave eggs out of sweet potato casserole? ›

Eggs (or not!)

– I've made this sweet potato casserole with and without eggs, both ways are delicious. The eggs act as a binder and gives the casserole a light and fluffy texture. Without eggs, the casserole doesn't have as much structure but it still silky smooth and tastes delicious.

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Can you overcook sweet potatoes? ›

(Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.)

Can you leave sweet potato casserole out overnight? ›

How long can this sweet potato casserole sit out? Like most foods being served, this should not sit out for more than 2 hours according to the USDA.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

How long does it take for sweet potatoes to cure? ›

In order to cure for long-term storage, sweet potatoes need high humidity and heat above 80 or 85 degrees for one to two weeks. To achieve these conditions, place sweet potatoes in a single layer in a plastic grocery bag. Tie the bag closed but also cut holes in the bag for ventilation.

Why are my sweet potatoes not getting soft in the oven? ›

Bake sweet potatoes at 400º F.

This temperature is hot enough that they won't take too long, but cooks them slow enough to really soften and sweeten the flesh. High heat, such as baking them at 425º, will result in potatoes that soften but do not get as creamy as my lower temperature method.

How long does it take for sweet potatoes to get tender? ›

Cut into eighths and place in a large pot. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes, and a pinch of salt. Boil sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a fork. It will take less time if you cut the sweet potatoes into smaller pieces.

How do you make a casserole less liquidy? ›

10 Tips To Fix Or Prevent Watery Casseroles
  1. Prep Vegetables Ahead Of Time. Vegetables boiling on a stove - Solstock/Getty Images. ...
  2. Add A Starch. ...
  3. Experiment With Pasta Or Grains. ...
  4. Take The Lid Off. ...
  5. Drain Fat From Meat. ...
  6. Choose A Dry Or Low-Fat Cheese. ...
  7. Sprinkle Seeds Into Your Bake. ...
  8. Remove Excess Liquid.
Oct 29, 2023

Will sweet potato casserole thicken as it cooks? ›

The casserole sets up as it cools. However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken.

What do I do if my potato bake is too runny? ›

Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer.

Is sweet potato casserole supposed to be jiggly? ›

Sprinkle the pecan topping mixture over the top of the sweet potato filling. Bake the casserole for 35 to 45 minutes, until the filling is hot, does not jiggle when you shake the dish, and the topping has browned.

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