A little reason to celebrate
National Tater Day
Food ยท March 31
A day for the sweet potato, the orange-fleshed root that turns up roasted, mashed, baked into pies and fried into crisp wedges.
National Tater Day falls on Wednesday, March 31, 2027. That is 155 days away.
Tater is an old, friendly word for a potato, and this day leans toward the sweet potato in particular. It is a root with tapered ends, a thin skin that can be copper or purple, and flesh that ranges from deep orange to pale cream.
Despite the shared name, the sweet potato is not a close relative of the ordinary white potato. It belongs to the morning glory family, while the white potato sits with tomatoes and peppers. The two get along fine on a dinner plate anyway.
Cooked slowly, a sweet potato softens and its natural sugars deepen, so a plain roasted one can taste almost like dessert. That sweetness is why it shows up in so many directions. Some people mash it with butter and a pinch of salt. Others bake it into pie, slice it into fries, or split one open and pile on black beans and a spoon of sour cream.
The easiest version takes almost no skill. Scrub the skin, poke a few holes with a fork, and bake it until a knife slides in without resistance. The skin is edible, and the syrupy bits that leak onto the pan are often the best part.
When shopping, look for firm roots without soft spots or wrinkles. Store them somewhere cool and dry rather than in the refrigerator, where the cold can toughen the center and dull the flavor.
Ways to celebrate
- Bake a whole sweet potato and try it with just butter and salt.
- Cut sweet potato wedges and roast them until the edges caramelize.
- Try a savory topping, like black beans, salsa or a fried egg.
- Compare an orange and a pale-fleshed sweet potato side by side.
- Share a family sweet potato recipe with a friend or neighbor.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, March 31 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, March 31 |
| 2028 | Friday, March 31 |
| 2029 | Saturday, March 31 |
| 2030 | Sunday, March 31 |
Also on March 31
- National Clams on the Half Shell Day
- National Crayon Day
- National Little Red Wagon Day
- National Prom Day
- World Backup Day
- National Bunsen Burner Day
- Eiffel Tower Day
Categories: Food days