Center of Gravity

The day was gray, wet, and cold. I had just come back from a devastating 19-mile run, the peak of my marathon training, and the suburban wilderness had not been kind. I was fading fast, manic and starved. The worst part? I had forgotten to prepare a meal for my return. With nothing left to lose, I shambled to the pantry. That’s when I saw it – nestled in a dusty corner, obscured by some onion peels, demure and unassuming. A diamond in the rough. That day, I found a yam. That yam led me to salvation.

yams saved my life not clickbait

Yams are the best running fuel, period. I could just end the article here, but let’s unpack that. Your bog-standard yam is full to bursting with complex carbs and fiber. It’s got you covered on bone health, muscle function, immune function, inflammation prevention, electrolyte balance – and all with a lower GI than white potatoes, rice, or pasta. Let me tell you so you don’t have to learn the hard way like me – you cannot train for a marathon by carbo loading on pringles. Have a yam. It will heal you.

Yams are also immortal, apparently. When I found those yams on that fated day, I was perplexed; I had bought them three weeks prior. I flashed back: They were on sale, so I threw a few tubers in my basket and promptly forgot about them. They should’ve withered into rot and dust! Yet here they were in perfect condition, defying all laws of math and science. The thing is, yams are built like batteries. The thick outer skin protects from bacteria and the low moisture protects it from mold, protecting the bounty of nutrients inside. As long as they’re kept in a cool, dark place, they can last for months. Yams will always be there for you.

So yams are healthy and resilient, but do they taste good? Oh, my brothers, the brave yam is not only delicious, but also extremely versatile. Its flavor lends itself to multitudes. Sweet or savory, meal or snack, there’s something for everyone. You can bake them, fry them, chip, them or hash them. Yam curry? Yes. Yam tacos? I mean, I guess, why not. Name a food. Add yams. It will be good. However, there is one sacred preparation, a ritual both hallowed and humble that surpasses all. The working person’s meal. The survivalist’s feast. Behold: The microwaved yam.

microwaved yam, avi’s way

You need:

• A yam
• Butter
• Salt
• Honey (optional)

Take your yam, stab it all about with a fork, 6-10 times. Microwave it for 6 minutes. If the skin is loose and it feels soft enough to mush, it’s ready. Cut an ellipse out of the yam and scoop out as much as possible, leaving the skin as a sort of bowl. In a separate bowl, mash the scooped yam with the butter, salt, and (optional) honey. Scoop it back into the yam skin, top with more butter if you’d please. Experience transcendence.

a call to worship

I am far from alone in my respect for the yam. This veneration goes back generations: the word “yam” comes from west african languages; nyami (fulani) and anyinam (twi) refer to eating and nourishment respectively. Yams have even become a staple in hip hop culture, being hailed as a symbol of wealth and prosperity (King Kunta, Yams Day, Yambourghini High). Paradoxically, yams stand for both fortune and humility. Convenience does not make them less opulent; accessibility does not make them less nourishing. We can eat and be well, and in that, we are as rich as any king.

Let me level with you. I’m doing a lot of joking around, but I’ve been really going through it. Marathon training has taken a ton out of me, and I know this is a pain I chose, but that doesn’t make it suck less. That day when I really needed it, the yam was there. Cheap. Easy. Reliable. It gave me the strength to recover and continues to support me in the early mornings and the rainy days. The yam is my best friend. Praise be.