uncle Joe's sweets and apples

scrub sweet potatoes and parboil whole until barely fork-tender, about an hour. drain and set aside. when cool enough to handle, peel and slice them. core, peel and slice the apples. put sweet potato and apple slices into casserole in alternating layers, topping potato layers with dots of butter and sprinkled brown sugar. top apple layers with sprinkled spice or brown sugar or both. add cider or water, cover and bake in moderate oven until apples and potatoes are soft and it smells wonderful.