What does jicama look like

The plant thrives in warm climates and grows on long vines close to the ground. However, the leaves and seeds are toxic, so only the root portion can be eaten. It looks similar to a potato or turnip, with brown skin and starchy, white flesh. The edible part, which is underneath the outer peel, is very juicy and crunchy. The flavor of jicama is mild, lightly sweet, and slightly nutty.

This can be done with a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. If the peel is thick enough, you may even be able to peel it off with your hands! It can be eaten raw like an apple , or cooked like a potato. Here are some ideas of ways to use it:. You can also find plenty of other recipes that call for jicama. You should be able to find this vegetable year-round in the produce section of the grocery store. It can also be found in Mexican markets. Just one cup of raw jicama provides over 40 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.

Vitamin C is a crucial antioxidant that scavenges free radical damage and controls inflammation. Eating plenty of vitamin C foods helps control inflammation, which is important for keeping oxidative stress levels lower and protecting against cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. It also supplies important nutrients like potassium, magnesium and manganese that studies show are needed for proper bone mineralization and protecting against bone loss or osteoporosis into older age.

How does jicama taste like? It looks much like a turnip but has a taste and feel closer to an apple. Look for whole jicama bulbs at large supermarkets and Latin or Asian grocery stores. Once home, keep preferably uncut jicama in a cool, dark place.

Jicama is super versatile both in terms of preparation needed and what types of flavors it pairs well with. Keeping some pre-chopped, roasted or sliced jicama sticks on hand is even a smart way to replace some of the processed grains in your diet. In order to use this veggie, you first have to remove the firm skin.

Unlike other root veggies such as potatoes that have edible skins, the peels are tough to digest and even contain a type of molecule called rotenone that should be avoided.

What fruits or veggies can you use as jicama substitutes? Apples, pears, turnips, golden beets and water chestnuts all make good subs. Some of its popular uses include pickling it in rice vinegar and salt in the Philippines , making it into bagoong shrimp paste, blending it into fruit bars or spicy fruit salad, and even baking and sweetening it to be used as an ingredient in pie in Vietnam. Often used in Mexican recipes, its flavors combine really well with benefit-rich avocado , sea salt, peppers of all kinds and lime.

It also works well with apples or pears, Asian flavors like soy sauce or ginger, oranges, and Mediterranean ingredients like garlic and chives. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world What Is Jicama? Nutrition According to the USDA , one-cup serving of sliced raw jicama pronounced hee-cama has about: 49 calories 0 fat 6 grams dietary fiber 1 grams protein 11 grams carbs 2 grams sugar 2 milligrams vitamin C 40 percent DV milligrams potassium 5 percent DV 1 milligram manganese 4 percent DV 7 milligrams iron 4 percent DV 4 milligrams magnesium 4 percent DV 4 micrograms folate 4 percent DV Benefits 1.

More Nutrition Dr. Axe on Facebook 1 Dr. Axe on Twitter 22 Dr. Axe on Instagram Dr. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8. No, any kind of jicama is fine. It does not need to be organic. Not Helpful 6 Helpful 7. Yes, jicama is high in potassium which decreases blood pressure, helping blood flow better and copper and iron which are necessary for healthy red blood cells, also helping blood flow better.

These 3 minerals work together to help maintain healthy circulation. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Jicama will discolor much like an apple or pear when its flesh is exposed to the air.

To prevent this, dip the jicama into a bowl of water that contains a few drops of lemon or lime juice. For this reason, it is often helpful to serve jicama in a dish that will be dressed with citrus juice. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Jicama skin is inedible, and should be completely peeled away before consuming.

The thickness of the skin may necessitate the use of a knife rather than a vegetable peeler. Helpful 17 Not Helpful 0. The stems and leaves of the jicama plant are poisonous. Do not consume any portion but the root. Helpful 21 Not Helpful Related wikiHows How to. How to. Co-authors: Updated: December 13, Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. I am especially grateful that you included the fact that the vines and skin of the vegetable are poisonous.

My dog likes to eat a few pieces of potato peelings when I peel potatoes. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. About This Article Co-authors: Did you try it? Leave a review!