yaki-imo 焼き芋

Roasted Sweet Potato

I had an extended trip to Japan one November to attend my cousin's wedding. I must have been about 8 or 9 years old. I don't remember much about that wedding, but I do remember the pull-cart street vendor selling roasted sweet potato 石焼き芋. The old-time street vendors were starting to get scarce then, and is even rarer now. These days, many vendors sell their wares via something resembling an American ice-cream truck or catering truck.

Getting back to the roasted sweet potato of long ago, my mom bought some for me. I immediately fell in love with the natural sweetness. While butter adds a nice touch, a piping hot sweet potato needs no other adornments. No utensils necessary either. You just have to be careful not to burn your fingers! And since my siblings were not along for this trip, I didn't have to share. :-p

My aunt, willing to indulge me further, made a bonfire in the backyard to roast more sweet potatoes in the embers. (Not sure about the fire safety code now, but back then, you were allowed to have bonfires in the backyard, and fireworks could be enjoyed all summer long.)

To me, this roasted sweet potato is the taste of fall, and part of my first true memory of Japan.The sweet aroma of these spuds cooking bring back happy thoughts.

And by the way, my cousin is still happily married.