The Perfect Halloween Side: Spicy Purple Sweet Potato Oven Fries with Green Goo Dipping Sauce #halloween #spookyfood

Halloween calls for serving fun, creepy food to set a spooky mood! Whether you’re serving dinner before trick-or-treating this year -- or if you're planning a scary movie fest like I am -- today’s fun dish will be a perfect addition to your Halloween menu. My Spicy Purple Sweet Potato Oven Fries with Green Goo Dipping Sauce. The vibrant purple color of the sweet potatoes and the creamy green dipping sauce are really fun…and the flavor is spicy good. All you need are some fun Halloween serving pieces and creepy decor to complete the Halloween mood!

Purple sweet potatoes are similar to traditional sweet potatoes, with a vibrant purple color and a richer flavor. I tossed my sweet potatoes in olive oil seasoned with herbs and spices. Before baking, I sprinkled them with coarse salt and black pepper. While the fries baked, I made the “green goo” dipping sauce. This spicy dipping sauce is ranch dip made green by adding a puree of cilantro, green onion, and seeded jalapeno. The end result is definitely green…and monstrously good! This duo is great paired with burgers for Halloween dinner. Can't find purple sweet potatoes at your local grocery store? No worries! Simply substitute regular orange sweet potatoes.

Spicy Purple Sweet Potato Oven Fries

a Weekend Gourmet original

Ingredients for 2-3 servings:

For the oven fries:

• 1-2 purple sweet potatoes, peeled [NOTE: can use traditional orange sweet potatoes]
• 2 tbs. olive oil
• 1 tsp. finely chopped parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1 tsp. dried cilantro
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.

For the Green Goo Dipping Sauce:

• 8 ounces light sour cream
• ½ cup mayo
• 1 packet ranch dip mix
• 2 tbs. chopped cilantro
• 1 jalapeno, seeds and membranes removed
• 3 green onions, cut into rough pieces
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tbs. water
• 1 tbs. olive oil

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment. Cut the sweet potatoes into pieces 1/2-inch wide. For even cooking, try to get the pieces similar in size. Combine the olive oil, parsley, garlic, cilantro, and chili powder in a bowl. Add the sweet potatoes and toss to coat with the seasoned oil. Arrange the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully flip the fries with a spatula. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. The sweet potatoes should be browned and cooked through.

Step 2: While the sweet potato fries bake, prepare the dipping sauce. Add the water, olive oil, and lime juice to a blender or small food processor. Top with the cilantro, jalapeno, and green onions. Process until the ingredients form a green puree. Add the sour cream, mayo, ranch dip mix, and green puree to a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine and spoon into a decorative Halloween container.

Step 3: Place the sweet potato fries on a colorful Halloween platter. The plastic spiders I inserted among the fries are totally optional, but they're a fun surprise when you bring the fries to the table! Serve the sweet potato fries with the container of “green goo” on the side for dipping.

This is such a fun Halloween side that your friends and family will enjoy dipping and eating! The sweet potato fries are lightly crispy, with a bright purple interior. The spice level is moderate, allowing the mellow sweetness of the potatoes take center stage. And the “green goo”? It provides an amazing burst of flavor! It’s moderately spicy and a little tangy -- with the familiar flavor of ranch shining through. If you prefer your dip mild, use only half of a seeded jalapeno – or leave it out all together. I won’t tell! 

As a bonus, any leftover "green goo" also makes an excellent dip for crispy tortilla chips. I also like to use it as a spread on top of chicken sandwiches or cheeseburgers. I hope you'll give this fun recipe a try for Halloween later this months...and let me know how your friends and family enjoy it!

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