Sweet potatoes are almost too good to be true. They’re both delicious and packed with nutrients. On top of that, they’re incredibly versatile and come in various colors and textures.

Generally speaking, sweet potatoes can be slotted into one of two categories: soft or firm. Soft varieties are those that retain much of their moisture when cooked and include the orange-fleshed varieties that are most widely available at grocery stores. Firm sweet potatoes — typically those with thin skins and pale flesh — are drier when cooked and will hold their texture better.