What’s your go-to appetizer for a spontaneous get together? In our house it is…or was, crostini, that is until Don’s sodium restrictions required a closer look at how much bread we consumed. Believe it or not, bread is quite high in sodium – one slice contains anywhere from 160 milligrams to over 360 milligrams, depending on brand and type. We had always focused on the amount of fiber and whole grain ingredients, without much thought to sodium content and were surprised at how much sodium there is in a single slice of bread or one bun.
When you consider the amount of baking soda, baking powder and salt, as a flavor enhancer and a preservative, that goes into bread and baked goods it makes sense. It’s just not something we had given much attention. So, we either make our own yeast bread because it requires no baking soda or baking powder (go ahead, check the labels and calculate the sodium content – the serving size is 1/8 of a teaspoon!), or buy low-sodium bread like those from Ezekial and Oasis , or the lower-sodium whole grain sourdough bread from our favorite bakery, Baguetier.
Bonus: This tasty alternative to crostini is also gluten-free! Try them with a variety of savory toppings, the cheese of your choice and chutney, salsa, or pesto. I used goat cheese because – you guessed it – it’s lower in sodium than most cheeses, but the salty flavor of feta would balance the sweetness of the sweet potato wonderfully. The also fit in nicely with October Unprocessed. Remember me mentioning this challenge on October 1st? The month is nearing an end and over 6,000 people have taken the challenge put forth by Andrew Wilder over at Eating Rules. Today, my post on Naturally Delicious #UnProcessed Sodium Substitutes is featured. Check out the many recipes and informative, thought-provoking articles that others have contributed throughout the month.
- 1 large sweet potato or garnet yam cut into 1/2 inch slices
- choose a sweet potato that is relatively uniform in diameter
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Bourbon Smoked Paprika*
- 1/2 cup No-Salt added canned black beans drained
- 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup pepitas pumpkin seeds, toasted
- Garnish: fresh cilantro leaves optional
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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Slice the unpeeled sweet potato into 1/2 inch rounds. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with oil. Place the sweet potato slices on the cookie sheet. Mix the avocado oil and smoked paprika in a small ramekin and brush on the slices.
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Roast until browned not the bottom - about 30 to 35 minutes. Place the sweet potatoes on a platter or cooling rack. Turn the oven off. Sprinkle the pepitas on the cookie sheet and toast for 5 minutes in the oven after it cools down a bit.
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Sprinkle the sweet potato rounds with black beans, goat cheese, then the pepitas, and garnish with cilantro.
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Serve warm or at room temperature with salsa for topping.
You can buy the Bourbon Smoked Paprika and other fabulous bourbon smoked spices at Bourbon Barrel Foods.
Enjoy 🙂
YUM! Great idea to sub a sweet potato slice for the bread!
Glad you agree, Dorothy – we’re always thinking and experimenting 🙂
I am going to have to give this a try. Wine pairing options would include California Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer or Riesling if off dry (slight sweetness) or viognier. However, goat cheese’s best friend is sauvignon blanc!
Cheers
Matt
Matt, you’re the man! Always have the wine pairing (s) in mind. Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to, but a dry Riesling is my new love 🙂
I was just thinking of doing something like that with a sweet potato, but hadn’t figured out the toppings! Thanks for the nudge. ; )
What a great idea to use sweet potato for crostini! I love sweet potatoes especially Japanese sweet potatoes. You gave me such a great inspiration and I’d definitely want to make crostini out of the sweet potatoes! Healthier and great snack for kids!
I love sweet potatoes and this is one good looking appetizer to me!!!
This would be a fun recipe to play around with and why not serve at Thanksgiving!?
I was thinking the same thing, Patty. Great minds…. 🙂
What a pretty presentation for a classic flavor combination!
What a great idea! And a beautiful little appetizer, too.
I admit I was one of those. You know…sweet potatoes once a year on Thanksgiving types? But now…I just love them and I will sooner bake a sweet potato than an Idaho!
This sounds genius…and wonderful. Looks so pretty too!
I love the idea of using sweet potatoes instead of crackers or bread. Must be very tasty!
I have no idea why..but for a week, your site wouldn’t load for me. Well..I’m happy it did now and I love your sweet potato crostini! Ditching the carbs for sweet potatoes sounds so good, I don’t think I would miss the bread!
Priscilla this appetizer sounds terrific and healthy I love it. Sweet potatoes are not used enough in my opinion!
Love this recipe, what a fun idea! We love finding new ideas for recipes without bread:-) I know we do love the baked caprese crostini, but honestly most of the time we just make a southwest Greek yogurt dip with chips:-) Hugs,
I love sweet potatoes, what a great idea!