- Written By: S.E. Smith
- Edited By: Niki Foster
-
Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Jicama is a crispy, sweet, edible root that resembles a turnip in physical appearance, although the plants are not related. Jicama has been cultivated in South America for centuries, and the vegetable is quite popular in Mexican cuisine. Jicama has a unique flavor that lends itself well to salads, salsas, and vegetable platters. The roots can sometimes grow to be quite large, although when they exceed the size of two fists, they begin to convert the sugars that give jicama its sweet flavor into starches, making the root somewhat woody to the taste.
Jicama is actually a legume, and it grows on vines that may reach 20 feet (six meters) in length. The vines tend to hug the ground, terminating in tubers that may grow up to 50 pounds (22 kilograms) in size, although the majority of jicama roots sent to market are approximately three to four pounds (1.3-2 kilograms) in weight. Before eating, the coarse brown outer layer of the jicama should be peeled to reveal the white inside.
When choosing jicama at the store, look for medium sized, firm tubers with dry roots. Do not purchase jicama that has wet or soft spots, which may indicate rot, and don't be drawn to overlarge examples of the tuber, because they may not be as flavorful. Jicama will keep under refrigeration for up to two weeks.
Jicama is excellent raw and is sometimes eaten plain. It can also be used as a substitute for water chestnut in Chinese dishes, in which case it should be thrown in right before serving. Jicama also appears in stews, juiced drinks, stuffings, and a variety of other recipes. In addition to having a unique flavor and texture, jicama takes flavor well, making it well suited to culinary experimentation. Jicama is a great source of vitamin c and is fat free—making it a superb on-the-go snack.
Jicama grows best in warm, dry climates. It can be planted and grown year round, although tubers form better during the winter time. Jicama plants sprouted in the late spring tend to produce extremely robust tubers by the winter, while jicama planted in the summer produces the most flavorful tubers, although they are typically somewhat smaller. Jicama prefers full sun and moderate rainfall, and it is subject to frost damage, making it a poor choice for northern climates. In addition, jicama produces a natural insecticide in the above ground vine, meaning that the plant protects itself from harmful pests.
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anon201096
Post 107 |
I was served jicama with guacamole today. Tasted like an apple to me, but awesome nonetheless! |
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anon200816
Post 106 |
RE post 105: At the Farmer's market on New Bridge Road in Bergenfield. |
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anon193065
Post 105 |
where exactly can you find jicama in bergen county, nj? |
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anon180105
Post 104 |
To heck with large grocery stores. I just saw jicama at Hy-Vee, a regional grocery, in Peru, Ill. I love it too. |
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anon173808
Post 103 |
I must say that the Jicama is an extremely disastrous thing to eat. Just for the simple fact that once you take one bite, you cannot go without eating the rest. We cut ours up in a mandoline like they're french fries. |
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anon160423
Post 100 |
I tried jicama for the first time today. It's awesome. |
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anon160123
Post 99 |
In CT, I have found it in some grocery stores and Asian markets, as it very popular in some areas of Asia. This article suggests storing it in the refrigerator, yet every other claims temps below 56° can harm it. I say keep it out, as that's the way they store it in Mexico. |
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anon158714
Post 98 |
Someone asked about the potassium content in jicama. I also would like to know if it is a low-potassium vegetable. I have to keep my potassium low. --czhk |
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anon157261
Post 97 |
Jicama can be purchased in Baltimore, Md at the Giant grocery store in the Golden Ring Shopping Center. Just bought one last night. |
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anon154404
Post 96 |
Jicama is usually in the sweet pepper section of the grocery. Our small grocers carry it, so should be plentiful in larger chains. We just peel and eat like an apple. My grandchildren choose new fruits/veggies on shopping trips. Parsnips are great/sweet too. And of course, our mainstay is eating peeled raw sweet potatoes too. Substitute many different but great veggies in place of the regular ones, they will beg for them! |
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anon154353
Post 95 |
I learned about jicama in 1990 at weight watchers. It's becoming easier to find in new york. i just love it. it takes the place of potato chips while watching television. |
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anon154066
Post 94 |
Can I find jicama in Miami, Florida? |
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anon145274
Post 93 |
jicama is usually found in the ethnic section among the veg. I call this sinkamas in tagalog. I normally eat this just plain, refrigerated taste better. Norma |
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anon144766
Post 92 |
Just had a salad of jicama, mangoes, pomegranates, blueberries with lime juice as dressing. Oh my soul! |
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anon143932
Post 91 |
i have an amazing thing to tell you all! This is my recipe for sugared jicama. First, peel the skin off until you have the meat of the fruit. After that, get a potato peeler and slice the jicama meat with it. the product should look like a pile of jicama "chips" then you should get out a big plate or cutting board and lay the jicama chips on it(don't overlap them). Then, grab a handful of sugar and shake it evenly onto the jicama chips, and now you have yourself a beautiful plate of sugared jicama chips. Thanks for reading my recipe! |
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anon141982
Post 90 |
Just got one here in Galveston Tx at kroger. The things are awesome. I have read all your posts: bacon wrapped Jicama, in salads, in soups. It's an amazing Fruit -- vegetable? lol. The possibilities are endless. i urge you all to try it. we peeled and ate it raw, yum |
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anon140554
Post 89 |
I live in Los Angeles and buy it at my local market. I eat Jicama all the time, adding lemon juice and some powdered chile for seasoning. It is great. |
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anon127420
Post 88 |
I like jicama a lot and wondered if I can use it in my Thanksgiving turkey stuffing as a substitute for celery? I would sautee it first. Has anyone done this? |
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anon125847
Post 87 |
We tried jicama for the first time today. It's delicious! |
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anon125791
Post 86 |
Go to any asian supermarket. Grandmart or Lotte Plaze in the DC area will have it. Veggies are cheaper there anyway. |
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anon123951
Post 85 |
How do you pronounce the name?
Editor's reply: It is pronounced "HIC-a-ma."
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anon122640
Post 84 |
I found some at the Martin's in Eldersburg, MD. |
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anon113507
Post 83 |
I live in Wisconsin and bought jicama at Sendik's. It is wonderful eaten raw with a little ranch dip. I really like it! |
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anon109055
Post 81 |
I tasted jicama in a Kroger in Cincinnati over a year ago. The larger stores: Kroger, Bigg's, Walmart and Remke stores as well as Findlay Market (the local farmer's market that is opened all year long) has jicama. |
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anon108279
Post 80 |
How to identify jicama: I had looked at Wal-Mart and couldn't find jicama. Out of curiosity, I looked it up on the Internet to see what one looked like. I went back to Wal-Mart and found them but the only identification on the produce tag said "Discover the Mexican Fruit Treasure." So you just need to know what it looks like: shaped like a turnip root but colored like a potato. It has a brown/tan bumpy textured skin. |
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anon107657
Post 79 |
If you find some in Baltimore - let me know. I have been looking at stores in the middle river area and even stopped at Trader Joes in Towson and can't find it. |
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anon103118
Post 78 |
I tried it for the first time today, my supervisor brought it in for us to try. It kind of tastes like fresh garden peas. He bought it at Sobeys here in western Alberta, Canada. |
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anon102445
Post 77 |
I live in northern New Jersey, and you can get it at certain Stop and Shop and Shop Rite stores. |
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anon102077
Post 76 |
This vegetable is also a natural blood thinner and may explain the low proportion of MS sufferers in Mexico and South America. |
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anon94011
Post 75 |
Just wondering if jicama is available in Australia, specifically, Western Australia? |
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anon93930
Post 74 |
I picked some up at Highland Farms (Dufferin and Finch location) - it's at the back near the onions! |
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anon92361
Post 73 |
Oh, by the way. it is pronounced 'Hick-a-ma' when you ask for it. Mexico street vendors serve it raw, cut like french fries with a splash of lime juice and a sprinkling of chili powder. |
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anon92360
Post 72 |
To Gerald in Baton Rouge. Try Kroger. I just completed a weekend of sampling at my local Kroger, and people really liked the jicama in the salad presentation. A lot of customers had heard of the jicama, but didn't know how it looked. |
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anon91765
Post 71 |
I live in Canada, in Woodbridge near Toronto. I went to Walmart to find jicama but they never heard of it. Does anyone know where to buy it here in this area? Thanks Ria;I |
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anon91678
Post 70 |
I just bought jicama in Baltimore at Whole Foods downtown. |
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anon89699
Post 69 |
We thought it was a fruit because it was in the fruit section at Wal-Mart. False advertisement. We had to look up Mexican potato to find out what it was. |
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anon89207
Post 68 |
I would also like to know where I can buy jicama. I live in Baton Rouge, LA. Best regards, TW Gerald |
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anon87058
Post 67 |
Vietnamese jicama salad with sweet fish sauce dressing and grilled steak. Perfect! |
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anon86202
Post 66 |
I haven't yet, but plan to try to grow jicama when I move south. I live in the north close to Canada. I researched "Jicama Seeds" and found lots of sites. One I will try is the Kitchen Garden Seeds. Good luck! |
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anon82351
Post 65 |
I read (several articles actually) that if they are allowed to grow larger than your fist, they begin to lose their sweetness. Keep them small and firm for best flavor! |
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boot98camp
Post 64 |
Jicama is best in egg omelettes with goat cheese and sweet or hot cherry peppers. Yummy. |
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anon81844
Post 62 |
I just bought my first jicama, peeled and cut into strips served in a green salad with pineapple and apple, almonds. Served with a balsamic lime vinaigrette. Delicious! |
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anon81617
Post 61 |
I am so addicted to Jicama, just plain (raw) as a snack. In Canada you can quite often buy good ones at Super Store. Funny because every time I go to the checkout they always ask what it is! If you haven't tried it, do! Great in any salad if you like the crunch. |
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anon81225
Post 60 |
I love jicamas! I get mine at the regular grocery store. They are great with hummus! |
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anon78983
Post 59 |
I just bought my first Jicama today and everybody is talking about lime juice, salt, and chili powder but how much of all of this do you use. |
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anon76924
Post 58 |
I grew up in El Salvador and I love eating this thing with lime/lemon and salt. It makes an awesome snack. I hope I can find it at the grocery store around here. I had forgotten about jicama until I saw a cooking show that mentioned it. |
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anon76131
Post 57 |
Your best bets in Montreal are Loblaw's and Costco. I'd assume most IGA locations would be jicama stockists as well. |
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anon76022
Post 56 |
I have just heard of Jicama. Never had it. Would like to know where I can buy it in Canada. I'm from Montreal, Quebec. We have Walmart but they don't sell vegetables here like your Walmart. Does anyone out there know what grocery store would sell it in Montreal, Quebec? |
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anon75495
Post 55 |
Even though I'm nearly 60 years old, I never heard of jicama until I worked in southern Mexico recently. I can buy it at several stores near me in Utah, probably because we have folks from Mexico in our area. I love it! It's cool to discover new yummy things!
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anon74269
Post 54 |
Walmart usually always has it. |
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anon73597
Post 53 |
Where can you buy jicama? |
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anon72502
Post 50 |
Can anyone tell me what Jicama is called in Thailand - if it is grown there? |
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anon72098
Post 49 |
My experience today was as an addition to Waldorf Salad. Great. My recipe said to soak it in pineapple juice to keep it from turning brown. Worked like a charm. Glad I tried it. |
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anon69919
Post 48 |
I love jicama too. |
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anon69825
Post 47 |
I just bought my first jicama and am anxious to try it. I found it at Wal Mart in North Ga. |
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anon69677
Post 46 |
I just finished eating my jicama with lime for a midday stack. The crispiness is delightful and the clean sparkling taste so satisfying. I challenge those who have not had the courage to try something new (veggies) this is the one. You won't regret it. - Therese |
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anon68850
Post 45 |
My wife ate some and had a very bad reaction and had to go to the hospital as her throat closed up and breathing became hard. |
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anon68456
Post 44 |
I first tried jicama in Palm Springs, California and was sold on it right away. I live just outside Vancouver, BC and found it quite readily.
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anon67575
Post 43 |
I eat this raw, tossed in coconut oil, with yogurt. This stuff is amazing and even more amazing for people trying to lose weight. It is healthy and keeps you feeling full. |
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anon66178
Post 42 |
Can you get Jicama in new zealand? |
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anon65230
Post 41 |
Bought one today at Wal-mart in upstate NY. Had it julienned raw in a mixed green, pecan and cut beet salad with small amount (2 tsps) of olive oil, (1 tsp)balsamic vinegar. Wonderful flavor and super easy |
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anon64898
Post 40 |
Are you guys serious! maybe because I'm mexican but we eat it all the time with lemon, salt and fruit seasoning. it is the best! |
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anon64705
Post 39 |
I grew up in El Salvador as a kid and Jicama is grown everywhere there. being a tropical country we have a large amount of tropical fruits and legumes such as the Jicama. it is great to eat during hot summers or as a snack and is one of those snacks you can eat without a guilty conscience. |
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anon60385
Post 37 |
I live in South Africa - East London to be precise.We have never heard of Jicama and would very much like to know where we can get some or even a plant. We live 200 metres from the Indian ocean and never have frost but a reasonable rainfall. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. |
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anon59842
Post 36 |
I didn't read all these comments, but I just have to say, it is great when sliced and soaked with lime juice, salt and a bit of red pepper, the kind used on corn on the cob. |
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anon58254
Post 35 |
I bought one at Walmart. We first heard about it online on a Cookie Monster game. We were very curious about what it was so we bought one. Haven't tried it yet! |
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anon56823
Post 34 |
I've never heard of jicama until today when I saw it in a rachel ray programme here in the UK. Is it on sale here? |
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anon56502
Post 33 |
Deenie (anon1527): Jicama is sometimes called a "Mexican potato." Actually, finding jicama hasn't been my problem. Finding it in good shape has been an issue. I live in nearby Columbia, Md. I've found it in the Ft. Meade military commissary and at Bloom grocery store in Scaggsville, Md. But it seems every time I find it, if I look closely, I see that the vegetable has a bit of mold on it. I mentioned this to the guy in the produce department, and he says the jicama is a very slow mover. It comes in damp and sits for a time. So, visually inspect them up close when you do find them would be my advice. They are said to be very good cut up and dipped into hummus, etc. Much healthier than potato chips! |
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anon50325
Post 32 |
I live in Southington, CT., went to Stop and Shop. they never heard of them. |
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anon49872
Post 31 |
I had jicama at my high school for our food of the month. i grow it in my backyard and i have to say that the size of them are huge! i weighed one at 10 pounds and another at 20 pounds. I use it in sandwiches with a turkey and wheat bread. it tastes so good. |
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anon48233
Post 30 |
I had jicama years ago in a school cooking class. My aunt just brought it over tonight as part of our veggie tray at our BBQ and it brought back my love for it. It's so darn tasty and healthy! |
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anon46595
Post 29 |
We tried Jicama for the first time today and thought it was super and plus it is on our diet plan which makes it even better. |
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anon45139
Post 28 |
In Minnesota we find it in nearly all grocery stores near the fresh herbs. Jicama tastes more like fresh sugar snap peas or sweet green beans than turnips or potatoes, which people had asked above. We use it instead of water chestnuts, have used strips in oriental salads, but our favorite Jicama use is in fresh salsa. Add about as much chopped Jicama as you do onion. It will absorb some of the salt and other seasoning, so make sure you add the Jicama, stir it up well, let it sit for a little (we usually plan an our of refrigeration - *then* taste for spice. |
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anon38795
Post 27 |
I bought jicama for the first time today without knowing what I bought. At Weight Watchers they challenged us to try something we knew nothing about. So I brought it home from Kroger and tried it. So good just plain. I did not add anything to it. A little sweet and pretty moist. Will be great in salads or with fruit or just by itself. So glad WW had the challenge. |
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anon38228
Post 26 |
I keep jicama cut up in to small cubes placed in water in the ridge. It makes a great item to just for a quick bite. Fills me up and tastes great |
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anon37869
Post 25 |
Bought a small one for the first time in a Chinese grocery store to try. doing this with different veggies...no cooking needed...suits me fine....my wife must watch her potassium intake so, please, what is the level of potassium??
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anon35157
Post 24 |
Thanks for the info that jicama is grown in bihar, one of the states in india. I shall get in touch with agricultural university in bihar to know more about cultivation of jicama. --Trs mani1 |
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anon35052
Post 23 |
trasmani, Plenty of Jicama is grown in the Indian state of Bihar, mostly in the Northern Bihar, where it is known as misrikand. In fact, misrikand is smaller with average weight of about one pound, and is sweeter and juicier than jicama. |
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beatbroker
Post 22 |
One serving of Jicama (a mere 1 cup) is 49.5 calories. What really makes it great though is the incredible amount of fiber in it. 1 cup contains 6.4 grams of dietary fiber, (25%) so eating four servings (just under 200 calories) gives your body all the fiber it needs for a day. Try saying that about any other food so tasty. These little guys are so versatile! You can prepare them just about any way you could imagine and serve them in accompaniment with almost any entree. A fantastic food, all the way around. |
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anon32986
Post 21 |
Just wanted to know if there is a substitute for Jicama if it can't be found in the local stores? |
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anon32832
Post 20 |
How many calories in Jicama? |
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essie
Post 19 |
Where can I find jicama vines or seeds and will it grow in West Texas? I use it in place of lettuce for salads and love it that way! Essie |
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trsmani1
Post 18 |
I am interested in jicama roots. I just wish to know whether jicama can be cultivated in kerala, india. From the description of jicama, I assume it is like sweet potato, which is readily grown here. If jicama can be grwon in kerala, I would like to know how to propagate this root, through its vines, fruits/seeds and/or roots? Thanks. |
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anon30089
Post 17 |
I tried a jicama for the first time in my Spanish class after using this site to write a paper on it. We tried it plain, with lime juice, and with both lime juice and chili powder. My favorite way is with the lime and chili powder. |
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Naomi
Post 16 |
I had jicama for the first time in Fl last week. I live in NC and I ordered some seeds. Do you think I can grow it here and does anyone know I plant the seeds? |
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nancyjac
Post 15 |
I think there is some confusion about carbohydrates. Jicama is high in carbohydrates in the form of fiber. Sugar is only one type of carbohydrate and jicama is low in sugar. 100 grams of jicama is about 9 grams of carbs, of which 7 grams are fiber and 2 grams are sugar. |
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anon24543
Post 14 |
My husband and I first tasted jicamas at a Souper Salad restaurant in the Dallas area. We have since been buying them regularly to add to our salads. We purchase jicamas at Terry's, a Mexican grocery store in our area. |
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anon18549
Post 13 |
In order to answer some questions by other users: Jicamas and coconuts are NOT similar in taste. Jicamas are almost 90% water, you can compare them to watermelons as they are crunchy and juicy, but the flavor is very different, jicamas are very very soft in flavor, a little bit sweet, so u can mix them with other fruits or veggies in salads. They will not alterate the flavor of other ingredients in a recipe, as the flavor is very very soft, almost unoticeable. I've seen it in many chinese recipes as well. Jicamas are very low in carbs and have no fat, so it's an excellent snack when you're on a diet. Try them raw, in cubes (1 or 2 inches is ok), with lime juice, salt, and chili powder, that's the best!!! You can add pineaple, cantaloupe, watermelon and mangos if you like. Erik |
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anon16291
Post 12 |
Are jicamas and cocunuts similar in taste? |
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jmhnpd14
Post 11 |
I would also like to try and grow it. I live in the south. |
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jmhnpd14
Post 10 |
I tried jicama for the first time in Cozumel last week and love it. My question is, is it harmful to dogs. My 2 daschunds love it. |
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sweetkatie
Post 9 |
does a white yam taste the same as a Jicama? |
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anon12913
Post 8 |
I just bought a jicama for the first time at Walmart. It looked interesting and I found this site to learn exactly what it was I had bought. |
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kevnomi
Post 7 |
Jícama is high in carbohydrates in the form of dietary fibre. It is composed of 86-90% water; it contains only trace amounts of protein and lipids. Its sweet flavour comes from the oligofructose inulin (also called fructo-oligosaccharide). |
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bigmetal
Post 6 |
i was pleasantly surprised by how light and refreshing jicamas taste! i wonder, though, how starchy jicamas are, and if they're bad for low carb diets? |
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anon8939
Post 5 |
Do mexican grocery stores sell jicamas? What about Walmart? |
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anon2416
Post 2 |
Deenie in MD,
I just bought my first jicama here in CT. You'd probably be able to get one in any large supermarket, esp. in a large urban area such as Baltimore. |
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anon1527
Post 1 |
I would like to know where I can buy jicama. I live in baltimore, maryland, and I was wondering if jicama is sold in regular grocery stores? Thank you, Deenie |
