One of my new co-workers, Dawn, loves all things health and fitness just like I do. We often will chat about the gym and new recipes we’re trying. She actually has a whole recipe index that she shared with me in Google, so I’m sure you guys will see some “Dawn Recipes” popping up on the blog as I give them a try.
Last week Dawn asked me if I had ever tasted jicama before.
Ummm, what the waaah?
After a little research on the world-wide web, I read that a jicama, also called a yam bean, is a large, bulbous root vegetable with a crispy texture similar to a water chestnut. It also compares to a raw potato. It has a rough brown skin which should be peeled before eating or cooking and has a subtle yet sweet flavor. Jicama is a vegetable that provides nutrition (fiber, potassium, vitamin C), texture, and an ethnic note to a variety of dishes whether used raw or cooked (it originates in Central America).
Jicama Shrimp Salad
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tsp lemon rind
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 24 shrimp
- ½ cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 jicama cut into strips
- 1 avocado, peeled & diced
- 2 tbsp lemon or lime juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 scallions
- handful of mint
- 1 oz fresh cheese (goat or feta)
Directions
- Cut up the cucumber, jicama, and avocado as directed above.
- Mix everything together.
Super easy, and super yummy.
Tim and I enjoyed this salad as a side to tuna melts one night we didn’t feel like cooking anything else elaborate, and then it made for an easy leftover lunch the next day.
Have you heard of jicama before? Have you tried it? I need to look up some other ways to eat it!!
Where in the supermarket do you buy Jimaca? Canned or fresh?
Looks like great salad! Barb loves jicama and turned me on to it. It adds such a great crunch and a nice flavor!
Similar to jicama, one of my guys introduced me to the “malanga”. It looked like a purple potatoe! I didn’t have the nerve to take a bite!
*potato…I always do that.
I LOVE jicama! And I love SAYING jicama because is pronounce the “j” like a mean cat hiss. C’mon, you know you want to try it.
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Please check out: http://cookingwithatwist.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/most-inspiring-blogger/ for badge and info. Jessie 🙂
Jicama can be bought fresh at Whole Foods or a local farmers market this time of the year 🙂