Roasting sweet potatoes is even easier than boiling and mashing them. Maple syrup glaze transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Makes 12 servings, about 1/2 cup each.

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Arrange sweet potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Combine maple syrup, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes; toss to coat.

Cover and bake the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown, 45 to 50 minutes more.

To Make Ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Just before serving, reheat at 350°F until hot, about 15 minutes.

Recipe Nutrition:

Per serving: 92 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 5 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrate; 5 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 119 mg sodium; 294 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (230 percent daily value), Vitamin C (15 percent dv)

1 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

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(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)