Inspiration for this dish comes from an old Jewish holiday-food staple called tzimmes. My grandmother’s version featured sweet potatoes baked with dried fruits and apple juice in a covered casserole. Some people love it, but I always found it cloyingly sweet and heavy on the dried fruit.Here, the sweet potatoes are baked and then combined with a moist and savory mixture of sautéed onions, apples and curry. Many varieties and sizes of sweet potatoes are available. I tend to go for the red garnets, but it’s really up to you and what’s available. I like to use sweet curry powder from Penzeys.MAKE AHEAD: The dish can be made 1 day in advance. To reheat, use 10-minute increments in the microwave on HIGH; or transfer the sweet potatoes to a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and place in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through.

CURRIED SWEET POTATOES WITH APPLES-Yield: 6 servings

2 pounds sweet potatoes2 tablespoons mild olive oil, divided1 small onion, minced ( 1/2 cup)2 teaspoons sweet curry powder, or to taste1/8 teaspoon salt, plus more as needed1 (4-ounce) firm, sweet apple, such as Golden Delicious, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch dice (1 cup)

Procedure:1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.2. Wash potatoes and prick holes or cut slits in the skins; place on baking sheet and bake 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, until juices run out of the slits and the potatoes are soft all the way through (oven time will depend on size of potatoes). 3. Let cool 5 minutes, then discard skins and place flesh in medium bowl.3. While potatoes are in the oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion and reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, 6-7 minutes, until soft.4. Add curry powder, remaining oil and salt; cook 2-3 minutes, then increase heat to medium and add apple. Cook, stirring every minute or so and adjusting heat so the onion does not burn, 4-5 minutes, until apple is tender. Remove from heat.5. Use large serving fork to mash sweet potatoes. Add curried-apple-onion mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine. Taste and add a pinch of salt, if needed. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.Nutrition data per serving: 186 calories, 3 g protein, 34 g carbohydrates, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 5 g dietary fiber, 9 g sugar

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