PRODUCTION OF FROZEN SWEET POTATOES

• US 20070020377A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharon Thomas
• Original Assignee: Sharon Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Sharon
• Granted Patent: US 8,247,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/637
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/04 Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/154 Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/16 Coating with a protective layer; Compositions or apparatus therefor A23B7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 19/105 Sweet potatoes

Abstract

A process for making frozen sweet potatoes includes the steps of slicing sweet potatoes, and then applying citric acid juice, preferably, lemon juice, to the slices. A coating then is applied to the slices, the coating including a mixture of corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor and vanilla flavor. The slices are pan-fried, cooled to room temperature, and then frozen. If desired, a flavor-enhancing mixture can be applied to the slices while they are being cooled. The flavor-enhancing mixture preferably includes cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice, and nutmeg. The invention does not require that the sweet potatoes be water-blanched in order to maintain the flavor and color of the sweet potatoes, and it provides coated sweet potato slices that are both flavorful and attractive. The sweet potato slices can be stored for long periods of time by freezing, and they can be cooked easily and quickly by conventional techniques immediately upon removal from the freezer.

Claims

1. A process for producing frozen sweet potatoes, comprising the steps of:

slicing sweet potatoes into a plurality of slices;

applying juice containing citric acid to the slices;

coating the sweet potato slices with a mixture that includes corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor and vanilla flavor;

frying the coated slices;

cooling the fried slices to about room temperature; and

freezing the cooled slices.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the slices are in french fry form.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the sweet potatoes have a longitudinal axis and the step of slicing occurs in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the sweet potatoes have a longitudinal axis and the step of slicing occurs in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the juice containing citric acid is selected from the group consisting of lemon juice and orange juice.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the coating includes approximately equal parts of corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor, and vanilla flavor.

7. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of sprinkling the sliced sweet potatoes with a flavor-enhancing mixture subsequent to the step of frying and prior to the step of cooling.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the flavor-enhancing mixture includes cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice and nutmeg.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the flavor-enhancing mixture includes approximately equal parts of cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice, and nutmeg.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein each sweet potato slice includes first and second opposed sides, and wherein the step of frying includes;

providing a preheated, lightly greased frying pan;

frying the first side of each sweet potato slice for about two to three minutes; and

frying the second side of each sweet potato slice for about two to three minutes.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of frying the coated slices is accomplished by frying the coated slices in oil selected from the group consisting of olive oil, vegetable oil, and corn oil.

12. A process for producing frozen sweet potatoes, comprising the steps of:

slicing sweet potatoes into a plurality of slices;

spraying lemon juice on the sweet potato slices;

coating the sliced sweet potatoes with a mixture that includes corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor and vanilla flavor;

frying the sweet potato slices in a greased frying pan containing oil selected from the group consisting of olive oil, vegetable oil, and corn oil;

applying to the sweet potato slices a flavor-enhancing mixture that includes cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice and nutmeg;

cooling the sweet potato slices to about room temperature; and

freezing the sweet potato slices.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein:

the coating includes approximately equal parts of corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor, and vanilla flavor; and

the flavor-enhancing mixture includes approximately equal parts of cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice, and nutmeg.

14. Frozen sweet potatoes comprising;

a plurality of fried sweet potato slices;

citric acid juice on the surface of the slices; and

a coating on the surfaces of the slices that includes corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor, and vanilla flavor.

15. The frozen sweet potatoes of claim 14, wherein the citric acid juice is lemon juice.

16. The frozen sweet potatoes of claim 14, wherein the coating includes corn syrup, honey, brown sugar, lemon flavor, and vanilla flavor.

17. The frozen sweet potatoes of claim 14, further including a flavor-enhancing mixture on the surface of the coating.

18. The frozen sweet potatoes of claim 17, wherein the flavor-enhancing mixture includes cinnamon, cane sugar, allspice, and nutmeg.

19. The frozen sweet potatoes of claim 14, wherein the sweet potato slices are fried in an oil selected from the group consisting of olive oil, vegetable oil, and corn oil.