If you’re trying to be more economical with your shopping and food preparation, picking foods that are versatile and can be used in several different ways is key. Here are five versatile food items and five tips on using them in your kitchen. What can you do with… a pound of sweetpotatoes? Did you know that North Carolina is the top sweetpotato (and yes, it's one word!) growing state in the U.S.? Sweetpotatoes are a good source of beta carotene and complex carbohydrates as well as fiber.