produce section.
Many grocery stores will carry jicama in the produce section, especially between fall and spring when it is in season. If you can’t find it at a regular grocery store, try an organic foods store or a farmer’s market. Specialty Mexican grocery stores may also carry jicama.
Where in grocery store is jicama?
In most grocery stores, you should be able to find jicama in the produce aisle next to other fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, you’ll be likely to find jicama near other root vegetables like cassava, turnips, or potatoes.
How do you shop for jicama?
Choose firm, fresh, thin-skinned tubers that are free from cracks, bruises, blemishes, mold or discoloration. Those weighing under 4 pounds are better quality; larger jicama may be very fibrous and starchy, and not as crisp or sweet as smaller sized tubers.
Is jicama eaten raw or cooked?
How to Eat Jicama. Most people eat jicama raw with salt, lemon or lime juice, and chili powder sprinkled on top. You can also: Pickle it.
When can you buy jicama?
Jicama is available year round, but it’s at its best from October into the spring.
Is jicama the same as sweet potato?
First grown in South and Central America, and used in all sorts of flavorful dishes, Jicama or the Mexican yam (yambean), is a sweet, juicy, crunchy tuber similar to a sweet potato, but without edible skin.
What else is jicama called?
There are many names for jicama, including “yam bean,” “Mexican turnip” and “Chinese potato.” The Spanish word “jicama” comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) xicama.
What does jicama taste like cooked?
It’s tastes like a cross between an apple, a potato, a water chestnut, and a pear. Because it’s mild and starchy, it blends well with other flavors, especially in its raw form. It also easily takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with.
Is jicama easy to find?
Find a store near you that sells jicama.
Jicama is becoming more common in both American and world cuisine, and as such it has become relatively easy to find.
What can I use in place of jicama?
If you are looking for a raw substitute for jicama, try daikon radish or Jerusalem artichokes. If you need a replacement for a certain cooked meal, try water chestnuts since they are nearly identical both cooked and raw, although they are slightly sweeter.
Does jicama cause constipation?
Jicama good for digestion
The high levels of dietary fiber in jicama helps to add bulk to stool and facilitates its smooth movement through the digestive tract and thus prevents constipation.
What happens if you eat too much jicama?
Jicama side effects may include: constipation and stomach ache if over-consumed (high fiber) jicama skin, stem, leaves and seeds are poisonous and contain a highly toxic compound.
Is jicama good for high blood pressure?
Improves Heart Health:
The fiber in jicama can help lower inflammation, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure. And its high level of nitrate can improve blood flow and circulation. There is also evidence that jicama can lower your risk of blood clots.
Do you peel jicama before cutting it?
Trim off the root and stem ends. Peel the jicama using a swivel peeler or a knife. The papery skin can get stuck in some peelers, so a knife may be your best bet. Slice the jicama in half lengthwise (from top to bottom).
Is jicama the same as turnip?
Jicama is a starchy root vegetable similar to a potato or turnip. The tuberous root tastes slightly sweet, but it is low in sugar, making it a good carbohydrate choice for people with diabetes and others attempting a low-sugar diet.
Does jicama taste like turnip?
There is actually a difference in taste and texture between turnip and jicama even if jicama is called Mexican turnip sometimes. Jicama has a sweet, nutty taste with a crunchy texture with a very slight moistness. You can think of it as a cross between a pear, an apple, and a potato.
Is jicama the same as potato?
What’s the Difference Between Potatoes and Jicama? Unlike jicama, potatoes are stem vegetables, not root vegetables. This is because the part of the potato plant we eat isn’t the root even though it’s grown underground. And although potatoes have health benefits, they’re somewhat different than what jicama offers.
How long does it take to boil jicama?
8-10 minutes
Boil a pot of water on stovetop. Once water is boiling add your jicama slices to the pot and boil for 8-10 minutes.
Is jicama good for weight loss?
Jicama is low in calories and high in minerals, water, and fiber, making it an excellent food option for weight loss. Jicama is a sweet tuber that is rich in complex carbohydrates (about 38 calories per 100 grams), low in sugar and fat, and a good source of fiber, which makes it an ideal choice for weight loss.
How toxic is jicama skin?
The jicama skin should be removed before eating as the skin can be toxic. The leaves and seeds also contain mild toxins. When cooked, jicama retains its crisp, water chestnut-like texture.
What does jicama look and taste like?
Jicama is a tuberous root with white flesh. The inside of the jicama has few nutrients, but it tastes like a combination of pear and potato. Jicamas can be eaten raw, and they are often used in salads to substitute for apples or pears that might otherwise be served as part of a salad course.