Vegan Sweet Potato and Dates Casserole

Sweet potato is an amazing vegetable that is so underrated. Sometimes when I start cooking, I get carried away with combining all the delicious ingredients into a beautiful dish of flavors and textures. This happened to me recently, and I ended up creating the most amazing sweet potato dish. While there is no official name, I call it a sweet potato and dates casserole. 

The dish just started unfolding as I started peeling the sweet potatoes. I love sweet potatoes and yams, so I layered them both on top of each other. I made this dish entirely out of vegan ingredients, so it can be enjoyed by even those who do not eat any dairy products. 

This sweet potato casserole is perfect for Autumn since it has many fall fruits and vegetables such as yams, sweet potatoes, and apples. The cinnamon, orange zest, and walnuts also contribute to this dish’s warm and cozy vibes. Once you smell this delicious dish and see it presented as a beautiful tower, you will want to enjoy this meal at least a few times a week! 

Tips for The Best Sweet Potatoes and Dates Casserole 

• Seasonings – Season each layer with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
• Olive Oil vs. Butter – I used olive oil to keep the vegetable soft and dry as they cooked. If you like the flavor of butter better, you could use that instead.  
• Baking Tips – Cover the dish with parchment paper and place a heavy object on top for the first 45 minutes. Then remove the weight, uncover the dish, and bake again for another 20 minutes. 
• Bakeware – I used a heavy cast iron pan that fits perfectly on a round tray.
• Pan Size – A 10-inch round cake pan is perfect for cooking this dish. 
• Prepare ahead of time – This dish can be prepared and cooked ahead of time. That way, you can serve it whenever you or your family gets hungry. This potato dish tastes good at room temperature or warm. 

How to Evenly Cut The Vegetables?

The best way to cut vegetables evenly is with a very sharp knife or mandolin. These make it easy to slice through the vegetables and ensure each piece is the same size. By making sure the pieces are evenly sized, you can ensure the cooking time is the same for each piece. This will prevent you from having some overcooked and undercooked potatoes. You should cut each sweet potato or yam into ¼-inch thick rounds. 

How to Serve This Vegan Sweet Potato and Dates Casserole? 

When the sweet potato dish is finished cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes. Once it has been rested, flip the sweet potatoes onto a larger, round plate. When doing this, make sure you have a larger plate to flip the dish onto. Have one hand on the top and the other underneath, and quickly flip it and keep it in place. Once your food has fully released, slowly remove the platter, being careful not to spill any food. The result will be an impressive, cake-shaped lunch or dinner.