How to Steam Yams (4 Steps)

Yams being confused with sweet potatoes dates back to America's slavery days. In the U.S., when softer varieties of sweet potatoes became available, growers wanted them to be called something different. African slaves on plantations called the softer variety yam because it reminded them of African yams, a white, dry and starchy vegetable, and the name stuck. So yams in U.S. grocery stores are actually soft sweet potatoes, and you will likely find true yams only in an international store. Either way, both true yams and American yams can be steamed the same way.