Jicama Nutrition Facts

Is jicama a vegetable or a fruit?

Jicama is a root vegetable with thick, brown skin. It’s white inside and tastes like an apple but not as sweet.

What does a jicama taste like?

Its flesh is juicy and crunchy, with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. Some think it tastes like a cross between a potato and a pear. Others compare it to a water chestnut. Other names for jicama include yam bean, Mexican potato, Mexican water chestnut and Chinese turnip.

What is jicama and how is it used?

Jicama (pronounced HICK-a-MA) is a tuber — a big brown round root. A relative of the bean family, it is native to Mexico and South America. Though most often eaten raw, such as chopped into salads, jicama can be steamed, boiled, sautéed or fried.

Is jicama the same as sweet potato?

Jicama is a root vegetable, like a carrot or beet, and is known as the Mexican yam. Unlike our sweet potatoes in the United States, the skin of jicama isn’t edible. However, they’re both sweet in flavor and crunchy. Jicama can’t be stored in an area that reaches below 50 degrees, so a refrigerator could damage them.

How do you eat a jicama?

How to Eat Jicama. The best way to eat jicama is just to peel it and cut it into matchsticks then eat it raw. It’s very good when refrigerated for a little extra coolness too. A classic way to eat it is to dip the matchsticks in lime juice, chili powder, and salt.

Where do you buy jicama?

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. Choose small to medium size jicama roots.

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.

Can you use jicama instead of potatoes?

Jicama is a root vegetable that comes from South America, and it has a juicy and crunchy texture. It is a versatile food, and it works well as a potato substitute.