To bake sweet potato, scrub and poke with a fork several times. Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Remove, slice in half to cool, scoop out pulp.
In a stand mixer with a dough hook : combine water, yeast and brown sugar, let stand for 5 minutes. Slowly add remaining ingredients (add 3 cups of white flour), once all combined, knead at medium speed for 4 minutes. (Dough will be sticky. If the dough does not pull away from the side of the bowl, add additional white flour 1/4 cup at a time.) Turn dough into a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour or until double. After 1 hour, punch dough down. Divide dough into 3 portions, one at a time put each portion of dough on a well floured board. Divide each third into 12 portions, shape into balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake each tray of rolls for 15 - 17 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
To make pumpkin shaped rolls: After the rolls have risen for 20 minutes, gently pat down the roll, cut 8 slits around the edge of each roll. Insert the end of a wooden spoon in the center, place a pecan sliver in each. Let rest 15 minutes, bake as directed above.