Preheat the oven to 350°F and set aside a baking sheet.

Scrub the yam under cold running water to remove dirt and debris. Cut off any blemishes with a paring knife.

Using a small skewer or paring knife, poke each yam 4-5 times about an inch deep. Then place on the baking sheet.

Bake for roughly 70-90 minutes. Halfway through, you can brush with butter or olive oil for added flavor if you wish. When they are done, a fork should slide easily into the center and the internal temperature will be 205-210°F.

Remove the yam from the oven using oven mitts.

Using a paring knife, slice halfway through each yam lengthwise. Then give it a gentle squeeze to open. Fluff the insides lightly with a fork and top with your favorite toppings to serve.