Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, (5-6 medium or 3 1/2 to 4 lbs)
• 1 head garlic
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 Tbsp real maple syrup
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 4 oz bacon, (6 slices regular/thin-sliced), chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Slice the whole un-peeled garlic head in half horizontally (parallel with the roots).

3. Peel (optional) and slice sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes / pieces.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cubed sweet potatoes, halved garlic head, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 3 Tbsp real maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and toss until all cubes are thoroughly covered.

5. Place in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet with the garlic cut-side-up. Bake at 400˚F for 20 min.

6. Remove from oven, stir the sweet potatoes, sprinkle pieces of bacon evenly over the top and bake another 25-30 min or until sweet potatoes are tender and bacon is crisp.

7. Variation -- for a vegetarian option, don't add the bacon