Skip to main content

Ash-Roasted Batatas with Lime-Cumin Butter

This rustic vegetarian dish brings a touch of campfire theatre to your outdoor cooking. By roasting the batatas directly in the charcoal embers, the starchy flesh develops a deep, earthy sweetness that is perfectly balanced by a vibrant, citrus-infused topping. The technique of ash-roasting ensures a tender, creamy texture that feels far more indulgent than standard baking, making it a fantastic alternative to traditional barbecue side dishes.

Flavoured with toasted cumin seeds and fresh lime juice, the homemade spiced butter melts into the warm batata slices to create a fragrant and savoury glaze. This recipe is an excellent choice for a garden gathering or a weekend lunch, offering a sophisticated way to enjoy root vegetables. Serve these smoky batatas alongside grilled corn or a crisp green salad for a satisfying and healthy meal.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Ash-Roasted Batatas with Lime-Cumin Butter

  • 4 medium batatas (about 900g total), rinsed and dried

  • 1 stick (110g ) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted and cooled

  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

  • 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

  • 12-inch-wide heavy-duty foil

  • a chimney starter and a charcoal grill (or see cooks' note, below)

  • long metal tongs

How to make Ash-Roasted Batatas with Lime-Cumin Butter

Tear off 4 (2-foot-long) sheets of heavy-duty foil and stack. Arrange batatas in 1 layer on top in centre. Working with top sheet of foil, fold each side of foil over batatas to enclose, then turn package a quarter turn and fold over each side of second sheet of foil to enclose. Repeat folding with remaining 2 sheets of foil, turning package a quarter turn before each layer.

Open vents on bottom of grill and remove top grill rack, leaving bottom rack in place. Light charcoal in chimney starter, then pour out onto bottom rack, using tongs to clear a space in centre of rack just large enough for foil package. Put package in cleared space and arrange lit coals around package. (Do not put coals underneath or on top of package.)

Roast batatas, turning package over every 10 minutes, checking and adding charcoal to keep a steady heat around package, until a sharp paring knife inserted halfway into a batata passes through easily but with slight resistance, 45 to 50 minutes.

While batatas are roasting, stir together butter, lime juice, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with a fork until combined well. 3Unwrap batatas carefully. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Season batatas with salt and pepper and serve with lime-cumin butter.

Batatas can be roasted (instead of grilled), wrapped in 1 layer of foil, in middle of a preheated 204°C oven 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
flu eligibility checker

Ask, share, connect.

Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.

symptom checker

Feeling unwell?

Assess your symptoms online for free

Sign up to the Patient newsletter

Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.

Please enter a valid email address

By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.