Pan-Roasted Goguma Mattang (Candied Sweet Potatoes)
Sweet goguma mattang (candied sweet potatoes) cooked in the microwave and pan-roasted with little oil before glazing.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
Instead of deep-frying in lots of oil, the sweet potatoes are first precooked in the microwave and then pan-roasted in a little oil for easy preparation. Tossing them in a sugar and corn syrup glaze with nutty sliced almonds and crushed peanuts makes for a delicious sweet treat.
- Servings
- 2–3 servings
- Cook time
- 20 minprep not included
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spiciness
- Not spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Sweet potato2, 300 g (small)
- Sliced almonds1/4 cup
- Crushed peanuts1/4 cup
- Toasted sesame seedsa little
- Oil2 tbsp
Syrup
- Sugar3 tbsp
- Corn syrup (mulyeot)2 tbsp
- Water2 tbsp
- You can also add other nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds.
Steps
1. Peel 2 small sweet potatoes and cut them into 1.5-2 cm thick slices.
Place them in a strainer, rinse under running water, and drain off excess water roughly.
2. I prepared a little sliced almonds and crushed peanuts (chopped). I also added a bit of toasted sesame seeds.
You can also add other nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds.
3. Place the sweet potatoes in a wide dish, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 4 minutes.
They are fully cooked if a toothpick inserts smoothly.
If you cut the sweet potatoes smaller, cook them for under 3 minutes, and if you don't have a microwave, you can steam them in a steamer.
If deep-frying in oil, fry twice until golden brown.
In an oven preheated to 200 °C, bake for 20-30 minutes, adjusting the time depending on the thickness of the sweet potatoes.
4. Wipe away any moisture that came out during the cooking process.
5. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a heated pan, add the sweet potatoes, and roast over medium-high heat until golden brown.
Shake the pan to turn them over and ensure they brown evenly.
Roasting them once like this prevents the surface from turning mushy
and gives you a texture that rivals deep-fried sweet potatoes.
6. Let's make the syrup. Add all the syrup ingredients and place over medium heat;
once it starts bubbling vigorously around the edges, leave it untouched without stirring.
7. Once it starts boiling toward the center and turns a caramel color...
8. Add the sweet potatoes and nuts together and quickly toss to coat.
Toss quickly because the ingredients won't coat evenly once cooled.
Ppunwife's tips
- Once it starts bubbling vigorously around the edges, leave it untouched without stirring.
- Toss quickly because the ingredients won't coat evenly once cooled.
- If you prefer it sweeter, make a generous amount of syrup and toss well.
FAQ
How can I cook the sweet potatoes if I don't have a microwave?
You can steam them in a steamer, or roast them in an oven preheated to 200 °C for 20 to 30 minutes depending on their thickness.
Can I use other nuts instead of almonds or peanuts?
Yes, you can use various other nuts such as walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds according to your preference.
What should I be careful of when boiling the syrup?
After adding the syrup ingredients and heating them, you must leave them untouched without stirring, waiting until it bubbles from the edges toward the center and develops a caramel color.
How do I prevent the sweet potatoes from becoming mushy on the outside?
Wipe off any moisture released while microwaving, then pan-roast them in oil until golden brown, turning frequently to keep the exterior crisp.
