Easy Vegetarian Sweet Potato Curry Soup is just one of hundreds of ways to enjoy the sweet potato.

The sweet potato is queen and is not traditionally eaten in Africa, yam is king of crops in West Africa. However, in recent years sweet potatoes and sweet potato recipes are being grown and marketed for their tolerance to drought and easy cooking recipes.

Vegetarian Sweet Potato Curry Soup

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cups coconut milk

1 cup water

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 medium diced ripe tomato

2 tablespoons palm oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

1 hot pepper finely chopped

2 tablespoons sweet curry powder

Salt and ground pepper, to taste

Directions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add curry, onion, garlic, ginger, peppers, salt and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes. Serve over brown or white rice.

Types of vegetarian diets

Vegetarian diets vary in what foods they include and exclude

When people think about a vegetarian diet, they typically think about a diet that does not include meat, poultry or fish. However, vegetarian diets vary in what foods they include and exclude:

Lacto-vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as foods that contain them. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter, are included.

Ovo-vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, but allow eggs.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish and poultry, but allow dairy products and eggs.

Pescatarian diets exclude meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs, but allow fish.

Pollotarian diets exclude meat, dairy and fish, but allow poultry.

Vegan diets exclude meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products and foods that contain these products.