{CANDIED YAMS}

7 medium sized yams/ sweet potatoes
6 2-inch strips orange zest, white, spongy pith removed
4 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
1 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
2/3 c. pure maple syrup
1 T. light sesame oil (or olive oil)
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 t. peeled and finely chopped ginger root
1/2 t. course sea salt

• preheat oven to 375
• peel and halve the yams crosswise, cut each half lengthwise into 4 wedges
• place the yams in a baking dish that will hold them snug in a single layer
• tuck the orange zest and cinnamon sticks amongst the yams
• in a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, maple syrup, oil, lemon juice, ginger, and salt.
• pour the mixture over the yams
• bake for 1 hr 15 min, basting every 15 min, until the yams are tender and glazed and the pan juices are syrupy
• remove the orange zest and cinnamon sticks before serving