ROASTED ORANGE SWEEET POTATOES

By BobD

Ingredients

• SERVES 10
• Unsalted butter for buttering pan
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest (see Tips)
• 1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons molasses (not robust or blackstrap)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large sweet potatoes (2 3/4 pounds), peeled and cut lengthwise into 1-inch-wide wedges

Preparation

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450F. Generously butter a large (13- by 9- by 2-inch) shallow baking pan.

Heat zest, juice, molasses, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until molasses is dissolved.

Toss potatoes with molasses mixture in baking pan and arrange, cut sides down, in 1 layer. Bake, uncovered, turning over once (to other cut side), until tender and glazed, 25 to 30 minutes.

COOKS NOTE: Potatoes can be baked 2 hours ahead and kept in pan, chilled, covered with foil. Uncover and reheat in a 325F