Aunt Nita’s Sweet Potato Casserole

So this is about the most waited for dish at my family’s Thanksgiving EVERY Year! My Granny J had 6 children, and for Thanksgiving they were all in charge of 1 thing. Nita (my Mama’s next older sister) was in charge of making this every year. Well, there was that one year that noone knew where Nita was. In my family, we can’t remember which year it was, but we refer to it as the year of 9 Sweet Potato Casseroles.

My Mama lives on a 100 acre ranch, and my Granny J had a home at the front of it. Aunt Nita liked to come out and visit and was often there. The members of my family never really had a lot of friends outside the family. We just hung out and fought with each other. Anyways, I digress. So about a week before Thanksgiving Nita was visiting Granny J. Her and Granny and Mama were sitting there watching TV and drinking coffee, and a Winnebago pulled up. Nita went out and went in to it. She disappeared and wasn’t hear from again. (Don’t worry. This story has a happy ending). Anyways. The week before Thanksgiving went by, and still there was no word from Nita. Everyone was a little worried, but she’s grown so we knew she was okay. Maybe she was just back at home. It’s easier to just wonder than it is to actually call or go by and check, so that’s what everyone did.

So as Thanksgiving got closer and closer, Granny J was worried to death that we were not gonna have any sweet potato casserole. She had my Mama call all of her husband’s family (my step-father) and ask if anyone knew how to make it. Everyone was kinda wishy washy about it, and no one really committed. So we just assumed that despite our best efforts, we would have no Sweet Potatoes.

So Thanksgiving mornin’ came. Everyone had prepared their requisite dishes (Granny J staying up all night to make enough dressing to feel the entire county). As the guests started to arrive, so did the sweet potato casseroles. By the time we were carving the bird, we had SEVEN Sweet Potato Casseroles on the counter top. Everyone tried to make them. Those things were everywhere. Some had marshmallows, some didn’t; some were mashed, some chunky. We all ate (well, over ate) then were sitting out on the porch talking, drinking sweet tea and laughing. It was about that time that we saw a strange truck coming down the long dirt road. I thought for a second maybe it was my Daddy coming to say hello (I don’t know why–he never had before) but the truck finally arrived. Nita popped out of the truck wearing a tank top, shorts (it’s always HOT in Alabama on Thanksgiving) and a giant Sweet Potato Casserole in each hand. We all laughed so hard we like to puked. Nita came and joined us, introduced us to her boyfriend John (her now-husband) and we all started eating them Sweet Potatoes. And I can tell you. All them other people tried, but NOBODY’s taste like Nita’s.

After moving to NYC, I begged Nita for that recipe. She happily gave it to me. It is so simple, y’all. I make it every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. And sometimes in the middle of the year for no other reason than to be a fat ass. Here is the recipe. I don’t have to say enjoy, because I know y’all will.

Aunt Nita’s Sweet Potato Casserole

*note. I am writing the “original” recipe. When I make it, I substitute all of the Oleo with BUTTER.

**Other note. Yankees–Oleo is Southern for Margarine.

3 cups Sweet Potatoes (Nita uses canned and so do I)

1 stick Oleo

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon each of the following: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla Extract

Mix and pour into a 9X9 pan

Topping:

1/3 cup Oleo, Melted

1 cup Light Brown Sugar

1 cup Pecans, chopped

1/3 cup Flour

Mix all that and drizzle all over the top.

Top with mini-marshmallows and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Pull it out, and dive in!!!!

Hope Y’all had a Happy Thanksgiving. If not, just whip this up and celebrate tonight.

And next time one of y’all comes over, I will expect you to come over in a tank top, white shorts, and have at least 1 pan of this with you.