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Allow us to resolve that rather odd barroom bet you’ve got going: yams and sweet potatoes are not the same thing. Those orange-fleshed “yams” found in supermarkets in the United States are actually sweet potatoes. Genuine yams, native to Africa and Asia, look somewhat similar to sweet potatoes, but they’re starchier and less rich in vitamin A, and they tend to have pale rather than orange flesh.For this forgiving and super-simple side dish, you’ll get the best results with the misnamed yams of America. They’ll provide a bright-orange backdrop to less vibrantly hued meats and create winning textural contrast with a crispy salad. A weeknight side that requires no special ingredients, tastes great, and is versatile to boot? We’re wagering the whole joint will drink to that.