Jicama, I hardly knows ya

More food sleuthing for Tightwad. This time it's about getting to the root of what is the mysterious vegetable that has the skin colour of a potato but the shape of an onion or perhaps even a turnip. It may look like a different vegetable, but the taste of a jicama is all its own. It's creamy white interior has a crisp texture that can be described as similar to a potato or pear. The flavour is sweet and starchy, like apples or raw green beans. Jicama is best eaten raw and an excellent addition to fresh summer salads.

Random jicama facts:
- jicama is also known as a Mexican turnip or yam bean;
- the heaviest jicama root ever recorded was found in the Philippines and weighed 23 kilograms;
- jicamas are root vegetables from a poisonous vine that can reach heights of over 5 metres;
- jicama is high in carbohydrates in the form of dietary fiber, with trace amounts of protein and lipids. Its sweet flavour comes from the oligofructose inulin, which is a prebiotic;
- jicama is high in vitamin C; and,
- jicama is a street food in its native habitat, sold with a squeeze of lime and a shake of spicy chili powder.

Tightwad has rounded up some recipes that feature jicama. She's now off to buy some limes and mangos. Mucho delicioso!

Foodie Reflections mango jicama lettuce wraps Five and Spice sweet spicy crunchy jicama carrot slaw Two Peas and Their Pod strawberry mango jicama salad Stylish Cuisine Mexican style slaw with jicama, cilantro and lime Cookin Canuck spinach salad with persimmons, jicama and avocado Foodie Pam corn, edamame and jicama slaw Taste and Tell fiesta chicken tacos with mango and jicama salad Eating Out Loud Mexican jicama pineapple salad Food Eater jicama, apple, jalapeno pesto and tofu sandwich What's Cooking jicama and chicken spring rolls