Thanksgiving Recipe Idea: Streusel Crusted Sweet Potato Balls

Since Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, I will focus my recipes in the coming weeks on different dishes you can make for Thanksgiving. My attempt is to show different recipes that are a healthier version, while still tasty and exactly what you want when you think of Thanksgiving dinner. These recipes can always be used at any meal of the year, but I believe they will compliment the perfect Thanskgiving.

Streusel Crusted Sweet Potato Balls sound like so much fun to make and they sound delicious. You always have the traditional sweet potato pie served at Thanksgiving, but this recipe puts a different spin on the classic version. I think you will truly love these. They do take a little time to prep but it is so worth it. Also, this dish doesn't cost a lot to make, which is an added bonus. Tip: If you want potatoes at your Thanksgiving dinner, try to use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes, because they are so much healthier! Save your calories and sinfulness for desserts! lol

Streusel Crusted Sweet Potato Balls
Adapted from: http://www.salad-in-a-jar.com/family-recipes/streusel-crusted-sweet-potato-balls

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of red cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons light butter melted
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows, halved
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon water
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped (using healthy fats in the pecans!)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions:
-First you will want to cook the sweet potatoes. You can do this by baking them at 400 degrees until they are soft or you can peel them and cut them up and boil them in water until they are fork tender. I opted for the baking option because it retains more of the nutritional benefits of the sweet potato.
-Once potatoes are cooked, mash with a fork, masher, or food processor. I used a potato masher.
-Season sweet potatoes with salt and pepper and add the melted butter and halved marshmallows. Place bowl in refrigerator to cool down.
-In a small bowl, combine the egg whites and water with a fork.
-In a medium bowl, combine the pecans, oatmeal, and brown sugar and combine well.
-Remove sweet potato mixture from the refrigerator.
-Make balls approx 1/4 to 1/3 cup size.
-Roll each ball in the egg white mixture and then into the pecan-oatmeal mixture.
-Place sweet potato balls on a nonstick baking sheet and spray with spray butter or brush some melted butter on top of each ball.
-Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until slightly brown and heated thoroughly.
-Serve

Enjoy! :)

*Tips:
-You can go ahead and bake the sweet potatoes a day or two ahead to save on time and oven space. Just refrigerate them when they are done.