Jerk Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Ketchup

As soon as we arrived in Boise, we began scoping out the local restaurants to make a bucket list of places we wanted to go in the next year. Near the top of the list was Boise Fry Company, a place that specializes in Fries. They offer different cuts, potato types, salts and dipping sauces. Overall we liked, but didn't love our meal there. However, it gave me the idea to go outside the box with my normal sweet potato fries. I've done tex-mex sweet potato fries before, so I tried to think of something new.

Sweet potatoes are used so frequently in Caribbean cooking, and Jerk seasoning seemed to pair perfectly! I used a combination of two recipes to make the seasoning, one from the back of my (empty) Penzey's jar, and one from Food Network. To get the seasoning to really stick and add some island flavor, I doused the fries in fresh pineapple juice whisked with olive oil.

Finally, for our dipping sauce, I made something a little spicy! Just a pinch of cayenne, some cholula and ketchup whisked together made the perfect spicy ketchup. You can definitely adjust the heat level to your preference by adding more or less cayenne.

Jerk Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Ketchup

spices adapted from Food Network and Penzey's

2 lbs. sweet potatoes, scrubbed well

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 c. fresh pineapple juice

1/4 c. Jerk Seasoning (recipe follows)

Kosher salt 

Spicy ketchup, for dipping

Jerk Seasoning:
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. thyme
Whisk all spices together, place in an airtight jar and use within 6 months

Preheat oven to 425*
Slice potatoes into wedges about 1"x4"
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil and pineapple juice.
Add 2 tbsp. Jerk seasoning, whisk to distribute evenly.
Add potatoes to mixing bowl, use a spatula to coat potatoes evenly.
Arrange potatoes on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray.
Sprinkle fries with remaining 2 tbsp. Jerk seasoning and 1 tsp. kosher salt
Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes, until crisp and browned.
Serve immediately with spicy ketchup.