Disclaimer: “Fiesta de Camotes” is a promotion of the NC SweetPotato Commission and was funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Photo Credit: Stacey Sprenz Photography.
The Sweet Potato has long been a favorite staple in the homes of people from all walks of life. It is so versatile and can be used for a myriad of recipes and dishes. I personally love it in the form of a sweet potato pie or simply roasted. No matter which way you love your sweet potatoes, there is no doubt that this food needs to be celebrated for all its nutrients and health benefits. As the #1 sweet potato producing state in the United States since 1971, it is only right that we celebrate right here in the state of North Carolina. Here’s how+where you can celebrate:
“Fiesta de Camotes” (translated to “Celebrating Sweet Potatoes”) is a month-long special event that invites us to celebrate the use of North Carolina sweet potatoes in Hispanic cuisine. From September 1 thru 30, 2017, twenty-two restaurants/bakeries will create and feature a dish that highlights sweet potatoes. Sounds delicious right?!
Celebrating Fiesta de Camotes at Sweet Arielle Bakery & Chef Norma
One restaurant that caught my tastebuds attention to visit was Sweet Arielle Bakery, located at the South Durham Farmer’s Market. Open from 8am-12PM, this wonderful bakery will “sweet” you off of your feet! This past Saturday, which happened to be Mexico’s Independence Day, I met Norma, owner/chef and mom to Arielle, along with her husband Paul at her beautiful booth at the farmer’s market. A wonderful array of cookies, pastries and savory treats were on display in her glass case, but also samples were available to taste. The both of them were very excited to introduce their customers to the featured sweet potato dishes made especially for #FiestadeCamotes.
Saturday Morning at Sweet Arielle Bakery
Two dishes available at Sweet Arielle Bakery in celebration of #FiestadeCamotes are: Sweet Potato Tamales and Atolito de Camote , which is a warm drink made with sweet potatoes. This beverage can best be described as “liquid sweet potato pie”. One sip and you will add this to your favorite fall drink list. In the words of my daughter (in the short video clip below)…it was SO good!
Chef Norma’s Sweet Potato Tamales are a delicious way to celebrate Fiesta de Camotes
After dining here, I must say no one is more passionate about making and sharing their wonderful dishes created from NC sweet potatoes than Sweet Arielle Bakery. I highly suggest you give yourself a treat today in the form of a sweet potato and try any of the amazing #FiestadeCamotes recipes found >>here. Make sure to make your way down to Sweet Arielle Bakery this Saturday at the South Durham Farmers Market to get some of those delicious Sweet Potato Tamales before I eat them all!
Leslie Heigh, Lifestyle/Food Blogger + Founder, SobeSavvy.com celebrates Fiesta de Camotes at Sweet Arielle Bakery in Durham, NC
For more information on the Fiesta De Camotes promotion event, visit website (www.ncsweetpotatoes.com). Don’t forget you have until the end of September to celebrate thruout NC. Share with your family & friends and discover new places to dine, great recipes to try and the many ways to enjoy NC sweet potatoes!
SobeSavvy 
I’m a fairly recent sweet potato convert, but I’ve grown to love them. I’ve never had Mexican food featuring sweet potatoes, but now that I see those recipes I’m going to start experimenting.
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I look forward to seeing what you create! I can see you doing something with the hatch chiles too. Thanks for reading.
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I love tamales! I’m definitely going to check out those recipes.
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I love tamales too but admittedly never had a sweet potato one. It was so good! Thanks for commenting 🙂
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Looks like a fun event
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The promotion last the whole month of September in NC but everyone can enjoy by making these great sweet potatoe recipes and fiesta at home!
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This looks so fun! I have actually never had sweet potatoes!
– xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
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Azanique, add it to your to eat list now! What I learned is that there are so many varieties..not just one type and that NC is the #1 producer.
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Sweet potatoes are a staple in our house! My son is the only one that doesn’t like them. This festival looks like a fun time and those tamales look yummy!
Marissa
http://www.shabbychiccheap.com
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Not even sweet potato fries?! Oh well more for the rest of the fam right 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
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Oooh this is awesome! I love sweet potatoes, especially sweet potato fries, but a beverage described as “liquid sweet potato pie” – that sounds delicious! The celebration sounds fun and I’m super close to the South Durham Farmer’s Market, so I’ll have to check it out!
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Super! It puts in the comfort zone like hot chocolate does. Let me know how it goes!
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Already saved the recipe for the Atolito de Camote and will be making it this week. I LOOOOVE sweet potatoes and I already love atoles so I know that it’s going to be bomb.
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Awesome Brittany! I hope you enjoy.
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This looks like you had a great time! Everything looks great!
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I did..and thank you!
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Sweet potatoes are not normally something you see in Hispanic cuisine. But I am loving the idea of a sweet potato tamale.
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Are you sure?! Maybe it depends on the country. In Miami , which is a melting pot of Hispanics, mostly Cuban, it was featured alot in cuisine. I listed the recipes too and all the restaurants here that are participating. Chef Norma is from Mexico and made these 2 wonderful dishes.
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Everything looked so delicious! I love love love sweet potatoes so I know I need to try new ways to enjoy them.
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I was amazed that there are more than 1 variety. I thought a sweet potatoe was a sweet potato.
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I LOVE sweet potatoes! I never knew NC was the top sweet potato producing state, how cool! I’ll definitely have to check Sweet Arielle Bakery and support a local business!
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I didnt know either or that it was so many varieties! Thanks for stopping by!
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I love when the weekend rolls around so we can swing by the farmers market. Sweet potatoes are my favorite I love them plain no butter or cinnamon unless their fresh hand cut fries.
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Now I want some sweet potatoe fries! Lol ..thanks Queen Thrifty!
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The Farmer’s Market looks like so much fun! I’ve always loved sweet potatoes but my Aunt’s only made them on holidays. Now I make them whenever I get a craving. I had no idea there were different types. Interesting!
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I learned that recently myself! They are so nutritious too.
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Sweet potatoes, yummmm!!!!! One of my favorites. You always share such awesome information! Thanks so much will definitely check it out
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Thanks for reading Moni..I know you can appreciate a good food find / recipes.
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You find all the cool events! Thanks Sobesavvy!
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Yea..this event ended in September, but you can keep celebrating with NC sweet potatoes.
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I love sweet potatoes and living in North Carolin, I have been exposed to varieties with different flavor profiles. Sweet potato tamales are a great idea. I will have to let my parents know because we make tamales annually out of pork, chicken and pineapple. This is a great idea!
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Ooh that combination sounds delicious!
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I love sweet potatoes! This is great info and as always I love your pics.
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Thanks Andrea ! Be sure to check out the many recipes shared on the NC Sweet Potato website.
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First of all I love your blog and your ig feed because im a fatty at heart and you keep me abreast of all the foods I NEED to eat lol. Also i wanna try that sweet potatoe tamale so bad yummm.
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