A popular belief holds that slaves from Africa brought the popular root vegetable with them to the Americas. This is not entirely true. They originated in the New World, with sources mostly attributing them to both Central and South America. Europeans, likely slave traders, introduced them to Africa. There, the tubers were given the same name as the native yams, due to their similar appearance. Considering the two plant species as one may have then been brought back to the Americas, along with actual yams.
Early references to potato pie, potato pudding and yam pudding have been found printed in English cookbooks from the mid-to-late 18th century, though their use in Europe goes back further. It's said that King Henry VIII thought the root vegetables were an aphrodisiac, and ate them in pies that included lots of sugar and spices.
However, while "yam pudding" clearly refers to that particular root crop, there's some confusion regarding whether these early references to "sweet potato" meant actual sweet potatoes or merely sweetened white potatoes. Recipes from the 19th century continue the confusion, mentioning parboiled potatoes and added sugar, as well as some references specifically to "sweet potatoes" as an ingredient.
Ingredients and instructions for sweet potato pudding and pie are quite similar, and also resemble those for pumpkin pie; pumpkins being another New World vegetable adopted by the Old World. The biggest difference seems to be the use of a single, open pastry crust into which a custard is poured and baked, although some recipes for pudding also direct the cook to pour the mixture into a "puff-paste" before baking.
Sweet potatoes are delicious and healthy. Check out our growing collection of sweet potato recipes representing the best the culinary world has to offer. Find the perfect recipe to serve during the holidays or for any occasion.