Dessert for dinner

Since when did sweet potatoes become a dessert item rather than a vegetable?

It seems as if one cannot make sweet potatoes any more without topping them off with a one-inch layer of marshmallows and brown sugar. Isn’t the only vegetable named for its sweetness sweet enough?

And am I actually expected to look upon a casserole like this and not think dessert?

Instead of sweetening something that already is sweet enough, why not add sugar and marshmallows to a vegetable that could use a little sweetness?

Like green beans. Or carrots. Or broccoli (though admittedly there’s no helping broccoli).

This sweet potato madness is akin to the people who think that chocolate chip pancakes are a breakfast item. Just because the pancake is a traditional breakfast food doesn’t mean you can add chocolate to it and still consider it a healthy breakfast alternative.

What's next?

Sugar-encrusted chicken wings?

Chili and Skittles?

Peppermint-flavored pork chops?

Actually, all three of them sound pretty good.