Jamaican Roast Yam with Roast Saltfish

JERK TAVERNMay 14, 2023

Roast Yam with Roast Salt fish is delicious. Roasted for 45 minutes over a charcoal fire developing an amazing smoky flavor; then the saltfish is placed directly on the coal creating a nice char but bringing out flavors you would never know existed in Saltfish. Your tastebuds will take a ride to flavor town. The roast yam can also be served with cook-up saltfish its all about preference.

Full recipe card is at the bottom of this post.

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How to roast yam?

You can roast your yam in the oven or on a grill that uses charcoal. Start a fire using charcoal then place the yam on the coal for about 40-45 minutes; turning every 10 minutes or so. After the yam is well-roasted use a sharp knife to scrape off the skin butter the yam and serve with roast or cook-up saltfish.

How to roast saltfish?

You can roast the salt fish in the oven but roast it on the charcoal directly on the coal. You can roast it after you roast the yam for about 10-15 minutes. Roasting the saltfish directly on the coal gives the saltfish a delicious flavor. It pairs perfectly with the roast yam.

Facts and Benefits of Yellow Yam

Yellow yam, also known as Jamaican yam or Guinea yam, is a tropical root vegetable that originated in Africa and spread to the Caribbean by way of slaves.

What is Jamaican yellow yam good for?

Jamaican yellow yam is a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. Yams are linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. Versatile, easy to prepare, and a great vegetable to include in your diet in both sweet and savory dishes.

How long does it take to roast yam?

Start a fire using charcoal then place the yam on the coal for about 40-45 minutes; turning every 10 minutes or so. 

Can diabetics eat Jamaican yellow yam?

Yes, yams are ok for diabetics. Yam ranks lower in GI, making it safe for consumption without triggering blood sugar spikes. Yam is also rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so it helps your body function better.

Is it better to bake or boil yams?

Boiling yams retain most of the antioxidants, compared to roasting and steaming. If we compare baking to boiling microscopically, boiling helps thin out the cell walls and gelatinize the starch, which may enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.

Ingredients for Roast and Saltfish

How to make roast yam and roast saltfish

https://youtube.com/shorts/A6-rLXJjMS0?feature=share

How to make cook Saltfish
•Place your saltfish to soak in cold water for about 1 hour then pour off the water; add fresh water and cook until tender. (or simply soak overnight)
•Heat the oil in a skillet, add the onions, thyme, scallions, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper, reduce the heat, and cook for 5 minutes.
•Drain the salt cod and flake and add it into the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes more.

Make roast Saltfish

• Place your whole saltfish bone directly on the coal and roast the saltfish for 10 -15 minutes. 

How to roast Jamaican yellow yam?

• Use a brush (or your hands) and wash the dirt off the yellow yam. The skin is sometimes eaten.
• Put whole yellow yam on the grill.
• Cook on all sides till brownish black.
• Use a skewer to check if cooked.
• Take yellow yam off the grill then using a knife scrap off the “burn” or dark coal.
• Roast the saltfish directly on the coal.
• Cut and butter the yam and serve with the saltfish.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet or shallow baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Arrange slices of yam in the prepared pan so that they are overlapping slightly.
• Bake until yams are tender and have begun to wrinkle around the edges, about 30-45 minutes depending on the sizes of the yams.

How to roast pan in the oven

FAQs about Yam and SaltFish

Can you bake yams the same as sweet potatoes?

No, because yams and sweet potatoes are different vegetables with two different origins, even though they often get categorized together. The cook time for a yam is different than a sweet potato also.

Do you need to poke holes in yams before baking?

Poking holes in the potato helps steam to escape but when roasting your yams you do not need to poke holes into the yam.

Is Jamaican yellow yam bitter?

The best yellow yam is dry and powdery whether you boil it or roast it. If you don’t pick a good piece of yam, it will have a heavy, dense texture and could also be a bit bitter.

What is the difference between yellow yam and white yam?

White yam tuber is roughly cylindrical, the skin is smooth and brown, and the flesh is usually white and firm. Yellow yam has yellow flesh, caused by the presence of carotenoids. It looks similar to the white yam in outer appearance; its tuber skin is usually a bit firmer and less extensively grooved.

Is yellow yam healthier than white yam?

White yams are high in potassium, while yellow, orange, and purple flesh yams are full of antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins. They have tons of health benefits. Yams are a source of resistant fiber, which makes them an ideal food option for digestion and weight loss.

What kind of fish is Jamaican saltfish?

In the Caribbean, salt fish, also called bacalao, bacalhau, baccalà or dried fish, is fresh, meaty white fish (typically cod) that has been preserved for longer storage by salt-curing and drying until all the moisture has been extracted.

FAQs about Saltfish

What is the fastest way to soak salt fish?

When you’re in a hurry Rinse the cod under cold running water for 15 minutes. Place it in a pan with cold water to cover it and gradually bring it to a boil. Drain the fish and rinse in cold water.

How long should you soak salt fish?

Method: Soak your salt fish overnight in cold water. In the morning, drain the water and soak it for one hour in hot water. The saltfish will be rehydrated and ready to use. Or you can feel free to boil until it’s soft and the excess salt is boiled out.

Is salted fish healthy?

Saltfish is rich in Vitamin D. This is a key nutrient for better health as it assists the body’s regulation of calcium and phosphate levels. These nutrients are necessary to keep the bones, teeth, and muscles healthy.

Do you wash salt fish before cooking?

Rinse the fish with fresh water and soak it overnight to get rid of the salt or simply just boil it. Make sure you cover the fish with water in a large bowl and gently rub it to remove the salt.

“My flesh and my heart fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 NKJV

Wisdom

At times, as born-again believers in Jesus, our flesh fails us. We find ourselves going back to our old ways. When we slip up when faced with certain temptations in life then we get angry and sin. We go back to old habits, we go back to our old way of thinking, we follow our hearts’ desires and distance ourselves from God. But He is a merciful God. He is a forgiving God.

God gave us the gift of repentance, so when we fall and we acknowledge our sins and confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. He strengthens our hearts, when we are weak, He will make us strong. God is the author and the finisher of our faith. His Holy Spirit will convict us, and help us while we are here to align ourselves with His will for our lives. He will comfort us in our times of trouble and pain. He gives us power to overcome the temptations for greater is He who is in us, than he that is in the world. Trust in God with all your heart, and He will be your strength and portion forever. 

More Fish Recipes

JAMAICAN ACKEE AND SALTFISH

Escovitch Sliced Fish

Coconut Curry Snapper

Sardines and Crackers Jamaican Style

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