This tuber looks like a seriously overgrown radish and is the root of a vine native to Mexico and Central America. The flesh is crunchy, mild, and even faintly sweet, and is often served with a little lime juice and chile powder to accompany Mexican dishes. I first encountered jicama (pronounced HICK-ah-mah) years ago in cafeteria salad bars, and on its own (how they typically serve it in those places), jicama can be a little boring. With some seasoning and lime juice, however, it comes alive, and is wonderfully refreshing, especially along side tacos and refried beans. Jicama salads are usually prepared with julienned jicama a little thicker than what I have shown here. Cut them this small (result of the mandoline) and the jicama pieces will bend a bit and the salad will resemble more of a slaw than of chunky pieces of jicama. The good news is cut this way the salad will be easier to eat. Julienne or cube the jicama into pieces you are most comfortable eating. But, if you are serving the salad on its own, then you may want to add a little olive oil or some chopped avocado to the salad so it is balanced in and of itself.
Tip: It’s easiest to julienne or cubed jicama if you cut it in half first.
1/2 avocado, chopped 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pour lime juice over all. Sprinkle with a pinch of cayenne and paprika. Season generously with salt. Tangerine and Jicama salad from Nicole of Pinch My Salt
