What can I do with 4lb of purple skinned yams that doesn't involve marshmallows?

Apparently others have had better experiences than I- I tried some purple yams once at the behest of the guy in the produce store and they tasted like dirt- never tried them again.

Lucky you, Colleen! Purple sweet potatoes are a great find and can create a show-stopping dessert, especially if the flesh is purple too.

Here is one dessert that I've had my eye on: https://detoxinista.com/korean-purple-yam-ginger-pudding/

Now, I can't vouch for the recipe as I have never tried it myself, but I think it would be an especially great dessert to chance if you are accommodating any special diets during your Thanksgiving feast. Also, it looks relatively simple to make if ease is important to you!

Best wishes!

Yam fries, cut long and skinny or in discs.
Serve as appetizer with drinks or as side dish.
Can be simply seasoned with salt and pepper or a spice blend.
Or dip in your preferred sauce.

Hi Colleen! Here's a great explainer on purple sweet potatoes: https://food52.com/blog/11708-purple-sweet-potatoes-and-how-to-use-them. And here are a few (marshmallow-free!) recipes where you could substitute them in place of standard sweet potatoes:

https://food52.com/recipes/14491-mashed-maple-chipotle-sweet-potatoes
https://food52.com/recipes/32255-coconut-mashed-sweet-potatoes
https://food52.com/recipes/1625-sweet-potatoes-anna-with-prunes

Hope this helps and happy Thanksgiving!

I would rub them with oil and roast them whole at 425 until tender, then slice in half lengthwise, mash the flesh in the skins, and top with lots of butter and flaky salt.