North Carolina produces about 40 percent of the nation's sweet potatoes. So it seems just about right that the State Farmers Market would have a Sweet Potato Day each year. This year, it's Thursday.

I'm a big fan of the sweet potato, though I think I'm about the only one in my house. In the last days of my second pregnancy, I'd crave them. An easy way to cook one up quickly is to stick a potato a few times with a fork and stick it in the microwave for about five minutes or until done.

But the N.C. Sweet Potato Commission has a load of other recipes and some activities for kids.