Sweet and tasty Mashed Yams cooked with butter and cream, topped with feta cheese and pistachios make an easy autumn dish.

Here's a delicious and aromatic twist on Mashed Yams: sweet yams paired with salty feta and crunchy pistachios sautéed in rosemary butter. I love this flavor combination and I am sure you will too!
I've made this recipe several times already, and I came to the conclusion that if you have a little extra time, it is better to bake the yams vs. boil them. They taste so much sweeter and the texture is also nicer. In the recipe below I'll give you baking and boiling instructions and you can choose which method to use.
Let's get started with the ingredient list:
- 2 lbs. sweet yams
- 3 tbsp. butter
- ⅓ cup half&half
- ¼ cup pistachios
- ½ cup feta cheese
- 2-3 tbsp. maple syrup (optional)
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
1. BAKING METHOD: Wash the yams and pat dry with a paper towel. Cover the yams in heavy duty aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for about 2 hours or until tender (baking time varies depending on the size of the yams).
BOILING METHOD: Peel and cut the yams into large pieces. Add enough water to just cover the yams and bring to a boil. Simmer the yams until cooked through (about 30 minutes). Remove the water reserving ½ cup, which can be used during mashing to regulate the texture.
Once the yams are cooked, set them aside.
2. In a small skillet melt the butter and add pistachios and rosemary. Cook on medium heat for about 1 minute.
3. Remove the pistachios and rosemary from the skillet and save for later.
4. Place the yams in a large bowl, add the melted butter and cream, and mash with a potato masher. During this step, taste the yams, add a little maple syrup if not sweet enough or a little of the reserved water to give it a slightly smoother consistency. Once satisfied with the taste, add feta cheese and mash a little more.
5. Transfer the mashed yams onto a serving platter and garnish with reserved pistachios, rosemary and feta crumbles.
Mashed Yams with Feta
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. yams
- 3 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup half and half
- ¼ cup pistachios
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2-3 tbsp. maple syrup
- 3 springs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- BAKING METHOD: Wash the yams and pet dry with paper towel. Fold the yams in heavy duty aluminum foil and bake at 350F for about 2 hours or until tender (baking time varies depending on the size of yams). BOILING METHOD: Peel and cut the yams into large pieces. Add enough water just to cover the yams and bring to a boil. Simmer the yams until cooked through for about 30 minutes. Remove the water reserving ½ cup, which could be used during mashing to regulate the texture. Once the yams are cooked, set them aside.
- In a small skillet melt the butter and add pistachios and rosemary. Cook on medium heat for about 1 minute.
- Remove the pistachios and rosemary from the pan and save for later.
- Place the yams into a large bowl and add the melted butter and cream, and mash with the potato masher. During this step, taste the yams, add a little maple syrup if not sweet enough or a little of the reserved water to give it a little smoother consistency. Once satisfied with the taste, add feta cheese and mash a little more.
- Transfer mashed yams onto a serving platter and garnish with reserved pistachios, rosemary and feta crumbles.
Notes
Nutrition
Before you go...
Check out these recipes
POTATO GNOCCHI WITH MUSHROOMS AND FETA
SALMON BURGERS WITH AVOCADO SALSA
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Jenn says
I'm loving this flavor combo! What a nice change from the usual sweet potatoes with marshmallows. LOVE pistachios!
Tania says
Thank you, Jenn!
Lisa @garlicandzest.com says
This sounds like a fabulous fall dish! Definitely trying this!
Tania says
Thanks, Lisa!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I love the flavor combo you have going on here! Pistachios are an awesome addition to dishes!
Tania says
I really love the pistachios in this dish! 🙂
April J Harris says
What an amazing side dish! Love all the wonderful colours and flavours, and the feta is such a great salty contrast to the sweetness of the yams.
Tania says
Thank you, April!
Karyn Ryan says
what a very interesting way to cook yams and adding pistachios - lovely recipe
Tania says
Thanks, Karyn!