yam

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a starchy tuberous root vegetable cultivated primarily in West Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Distinct from sweet potatoes, true yams serve as a major carbohydrate source in Nigerian, Ghanaian, and other West African cuisines, prepared as pounded yam, amala, boiled yam, yam porridge, and fried yam chips.