Jammin’ with Jicama

This month our nutrition educators have been jammin’ around town teaching kids about the healthy benefits of Jicama. Just what is a Jicama anyway? Well, our students can tell you all about it! First off, it’s pronounced “HIH-KUH-MUH”, and it’s a root vegetable that has been eaten throughout Central America for decades. It’s best described as a savory apple – juicy and sweet, but not quite as sweet as an apple. However you describe it, it’s probably the best thing you aren’t eating yet. Let’s fix that!

First, we’ll give you a few shopping tips. If your local supermarket does not have Jicama, try specialty shops such as Mexican, Latin American, or Asian markets. Make sure you pick Jicama with smooth and unblemished skin as dull/blemished jicama is more susceptible to bacteria. You also want to make sure your jicama is small to medium sized as the larger it is, the less flavor and crispness it will have. The texture will also be tougher. Once you buy jicama, store it in a cool, dry place.

While its name sounds intimidating, preparing Jicama is not. It is most often, and easily, eaten raw… all you have to do is peel the skin off! But we’ve provided another recipe that is easy as 1, 2, 3!

Jicama Fries

Ingredients:
1 Jicama
1 Cucumber
1 Granny Smith Apple
½ Lime (Squeezed)
2 Pinches of Chili Powder

Directions: