Sweet Potatoes in Syrup with Guava

Ingredients

• 1 lb. piloncillo sugar, roughly chopped, or 3 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2″ chunks
• 1 (3″) stick cinnamon, preferably Mexican canela
• 1 (1″) piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• Peel of 1 orange, white pith removed, roughly chopped
• 4 oz. sugarcane, fresh or canned, cut into 2″ lengths (optional)
• 1 (20-oz.) can guava wedges in syrup, drained

Instructions

1. Heat the piloncillo, orange juice, and ¹⁄₂ cup water in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often, until dissolved, 10 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Remove lid from saucepan, add the sugarcane and guava, and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is reduced to a syrupy consistency, 30 minutes. Serve warm.