Pachyrhizus erosus, more commonly known as Jicama (the J is pronounced as an H) is a turnip-like root vegetable with a crisp texture and sweet starchy flavour.

History

 

This versatile vegetable actually belongs to the legume or bean family and is

native to Mexico and Central and South America. In the 17th century, the Spanish

introduced it to the Philippines and from there it was cultivated in Southeast Asia

and China.

Appearance

Jicama looks similar to a large turnip and has a thin skin that’s usually grey, tan or brown with a hard white flesh inside. The plant grows on a vine that can reach up to 5 metres with sufficient support. The root it’s self can range in diameter from 4 to 8 inches and weigh anywhere from one half to 6 pounds.

*It’s important to note that other parts of the Jicama plant should not be eaten, as they may be poisonous, only the root is edible.

Culinary Uses

The skin of the Jicama root is usually peeled before eating it raw. When raw, the

flesh is very crisp and some people describe the taste as a cross between an apple and a potato. This vegetable can also be cooked and it’s ability to maintain crispness when cooked makes it a great compliment to stir-fry dishes. Having more texture that taste, this vegetable tends to take on the flavours of the ingredients its combined with.

Jicama has a great nutritional value as its high in vitamin C, low in sodium, low in carbohydrates and contains no fat. A 120gram serving of the root vegetable contains only 45 calories.

Recipes

Check out these great recipe ideas to start using this terrific tuber today!

Jicama Hash Browns

[Source: DiabetesDaily.com]

Jicama Salad

[Source: SimplyRecipes.com]

Angela Nightingale

If you want to know the best cupcake shop in any major city in America, just ask Angela. This girl knows her sweets, and she isn't shy about letting you know that your german chocolate cake needs more chocolate. If you want to find Angela on any given day, she's probably looking up reviews to decide where to grab lunch, or in her downtime, binge-watching the latest 'it-series' on Netflix.

When it comes to preparing for a big date or event, we have so much to think about.
We get it, you invest in kitchen tools and want to make them last forever.
For those who have to deal with an anxiety disorder, they often have the constant feeling of uneasiness, worry and fear.
Meghan Markle has captured everyone's attention but not just because of her acting career, because of her new relationship and now...
When I first decided that I was up for the challenge of giving up coffee for a week, I had visions of myself by the end of it,...
By now we’re all well aware that plastic pollution is a real problem, and it’s not only impacting our oceans, but also the...
Containers are crucial for transporting food and liquids while we live our busy lives.
So disclaimer: I'll pretty much try anything that's new and plant-based at Starbucks.
This week was a taste of my own medicine, so to speak. Among my group of friends, it has become a running a joke that at a...
Do you remember the Canada's Food Guide rainbow that you would learn about in health class as a student? Who could forget it?
Summer is one of the most sought-after seasons of the year. If you experience cold winter months then you surely appreciate those...
Bloating happens when the stomach becomes swollen after eating and that feeling is never a fun experience.
Advertisement
Food
The Best Side Dishes To Pair With Burgers