By Linda Tancs

In the southeastern U.S., the sweet potato is, as the saying goes, as American as motherhood and apple pie.  Its illustrious heritage here began around 1543 when Spanish explorers found sweet potatoes growing in what became Louisiana.  In Colonial days sweet potatoes were an item of trade and were shipped from large Carolina plantations to northern cities.  Later, during the Civil War, the sweet potato became one of many substitutes for coffee by being dried, parched, ground and brewed.  Is it any wonder, then, that such a storied and useful vegetable would be celebrated each year in Darlington, South Carolina.  On 8 October on the Public Square in Darlington is the annual Sweet Potato Festival, where over 17,000 tater-lovin’ folks will gather for crafts, music, live entertainment, a car show and plenty of food, including–of course–sweet potato pie.  Do you have a favorite sweet potato recipe?  Share it in the comments section.