The duration required to cook sweet potatoes in boiling water is contingent on several factors, including size, variety, and desired texture. Generally, smaller sweet potatoes will cook more quickly than larger ones. The purpose of boiling is to soften the sweet potatoes until they are easily pierced with a fork.
Accurately determining the cooking time is essential for achieving the desired consistency. Overcooked sweet potatoes become mushy and lose their structural integrity, while undercooked potatoes remain firm and difficult to mash or incorporate into recipes. Historically, boiling has been a common and efficient method for preparing sweet potatoes, particularly when other cooking methods are unavailable or impractical.