With their crisp acidity and fresh fruit flavors, Sicily’s wines are versatile when it comes to food pairing. In general, white wines are better with lighter-bodied foods and fresh cheeses, while reds pair naturally with richer dishes. That said, white wine lovers can rely on Grillo to complement the entire meal, from pasta to grilled white meats and goat cheese. And the go-to for red-wine lovers is Nero d’Avola, which matches with everything from antipasti to grilled meats.
With just the right amount of smoky flavor, these not-too-sweet sweet potatoes will be a favorite side dish for your holiday guests. Match with a full-bodied Nero d’Avola from Sicilia DOC to highlight the bold seasonal flavors.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to near boil and turn off heat. Let potatoes sit in hot water for 30 minutes, or until tender.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Drain sweet potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with 3 tablespoons oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread potatoes on 2 rimmed baking sheets lined with parchment paper and roast about 30 minutes. Carefully flip potatoes with a thin spatula and roast until second side is browned and potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes longer.
In a small skillet, combine remaining 2 tablespoons with cumin, coriander, and chipotle powder and cook over medium-high heat swirling until spices are fragrant. Add pecans and toss to coat with spiced oil. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and stir until well combined and melted, about 1 minute. Season with salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine potatoes, spiced pecans and their oil, and minced sage and toss to combine. Makes 6 – 8 servings.