If you’re quite the massive fan of crunchy and sweet vegetables like carrots, you might have probably set your eyes on jicamas.
Jicama is a sweet and munchy vegetable that originated from Mexico. It’s packed with vitamins and offers a myriad of benefits besides tasting great – whether cooked or uncooked.
Wondering “what is Jicama?” The guide I’ve prepared should give you the full lowdown on what it tastes like, how to eat it, and some interesting recipes that use this delicious vegetable.
Jicama is a round-shaped edible root vegetable that’s popular in South American cuisine. It’s also often referred to as yam bean, Mexican potato, or Mexican turnip.
Jicama features a golden-brown exterior and white interior. Only the roots are edible, while its seeds and leaves are toxic. This Mexican potato is also considered to be a superfood.
What does jicama taste like?
Raw jicama boasts a mild, nutty, and sweet flavor that’s not too overpowering; this is why Mexican vendors tend to sell this raw vegetable by sprinkling lime juice and spices on it.
The taste of Jicama can be described as a cross between a water chestnut and an apple. However, it’s slightly milder than the two. Some people also describe the taste of Jicama as a mix of potato and a pear.
Is jicama a fruit or a vegetable?
Jicama is purely a root vegetable that belongs to the bean family. It’s not a fruit.
How to eat jicama?
Jicama can be eaten raw or cooked. The best way to eat jicama is to peel off the skin first and cut it into thin and long pieces, like matchsticks.
Refrigerate the jicama before peeling it, and it should taste even better. Sprinkle some lime juice, salt, and chili powder on the jicama pieces to give it that extra kick.
If you want to try cooked jicama, simply cut it into thin and long pieces and saute it in olive oil and stir fry it. To give it a more refreshing flavor, you can also incorporate broccoli, carrots, gingers, and nuts, like cashews and almonds.
On the other hand, many people like to mix jicama in green and fruit salads and slaws because it adds more crunchiness to it. One can eat Jicama by adding it in spring rolls, salsas, dips, tacos, or burritos.
Finally, you can also add Jicama in stews, gazpacho, and soups.
Some jicama recipes
You can cook many things with Jicama; as mentioned, you can stir fry vegetables and jicama together, make a salad with it, and much more. Here is a list of some of our favorite jicama recipes:
Those who are fans of this delicious and crunchy vegetable love to make fries with it. If you want to introduce yourself to this vegetable, making fries from it would be the best way to do it.
2. Jicama salad
Another recipe that will help you make the most of this vegetable is a jicama salad.
This reinvigorating salad variety features julienned jicama, bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, orange, and lime juice. If you’re fond of the Mexican cuisine, you’re in for a treat!
This is one of my favorite recipes to make when I buy jicama from the supermarket. This crunchy and tangy dip tastes scrumptious with cornbread or regular bread.
Tips on buying jicama
By now, I’m sure that you want to get your hands on this root vegetable; so, if you plan to buy jicama, here are some tips to help you find the best one in the market:
- You can buy jicama from Spanish and Mexican supermarkets.
- Select firm jicama which has dry roots.
- Make sure you pick out jicama that’s not bruised or blemished.
The bottom line
Finding this vegetable at the supermarket may not be an easy task, but it will be well worth it. This juicy, munchy, and ultimately, tasty vegetable is a must-try, so don’t forget to get your hands on it ASAP!