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Jicama is a super versatile root vegetable that you can eat in all sorts of different ways. With a texture that’s kind of like a hard pear or a raw potato, you can actually eat jicama raw or use it for a tasty dip like hummus or ranch. No matter what way you decide to cook your jicama, you have to peel it first and to get rid of the tough and bitter outer skin. But once it’s peeled, you can slice it up and use it in a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
- Jicama cut into strips
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
Steps
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Rinse the jicama well to clean off any dirt and debris. Because jicama is a root vegetable, it’s pretty common for them to have some bits of dirt stuck to their skin. Give them a good rinse under your faucet and use your fingers to rub off any dirt or debris from the outer skin. [1] X Research source
- Even if the jicama looks clean, it’s a good idea to rinse off dust and dirt before you start peeling and cutting them so they don’t’ contaminate anything.
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Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom to make a flat surface. Jicama has a rounded shape that can make it difficult or even dangerous to cut and peel it if it isn’t stable. Place the jicama on a cutting board. Take a chef’s knife and slice off a thin layer about 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the top and the bottom of the jicama so you have a flat surface. [2] X Research source- The top of the jicama has a small knot on it where the root was originally attached.
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Peel the jicama from top to bottom with a chef’s knife. Take your chef’s knife and slide the edge of the blade beneath the skin at the top of the jicama. Peel the skin off from top to bottom following the natural curve of the jicama. Continue peeling off all of the skin until you’re left with the white flesh beneath. [3] X Research source
- Be careful not to hold the jicama with your hand in front of the blade so you don’t accidentally cut yourself.
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Saute diced jicama with peppers and onions until it’s tender. Heat up 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of olive oil into a pan over medium heat on your stove. Add in cubed jicama into the pan and let it cook for a few minutes until it’s browned. Slice up 1 small onion and add it to the pan and let it cook until they’re translucent. Cut ½ of a red pepper into strips and add it with the onions. Then, pour 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of water or broth and let the jicama cook until it’s tender. [4] X Research source
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Add jicama to a stir fry with other veggies. Heat up some vegetable or olive oil in a pan and add vegetables such as broccoli, onions, bell peppers, or any other ones that you enjoy. Mix in some jicama cubes or sticks and cook the veggies until they’re browned and tender. Add some seasoning like salt and pepper or soy sauce and serve the stir fry over some fresh rice for a tasty meal. [5] X Research source
- You could also add some cooked pork, chicken, steak, or tofu to the stir fry for some extra protein.
- Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for a healthier option.
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Roast jicama with garlic, onion, rosemary, and parsley. Cut up 2 cups (260 g) worth of jicama cubes, chop 1 small onion, and mince 2 garlic cloves. Add them into a bowl, mix in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of olive oil, 1 teaspoon (1.12 g) of rosemary, and 1 teaspoon (.54 g) of parsley, and toss them all together. Spread the mixture evenly into a baking pan and roast them in in the oven for 1 hour at 400 °F (204 °C). [6] X Research source
- Stir the ingredients every 15 minutes to keep them from sticking and to help them cook evenly.
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Bake a cheesy jicama casserole. Peel and cube 2 jicamas, place them in a pot of water, and boil them for about an hour. Drain them and place them in a food processor with 8 oz (225 g) of cream cheese, a stick of butter, 3 cloves of garlic, and 1 cup (128 g) of chopped red onion. Process them until they’re smooth and pour the mixture into a casserole dish. Top the mixture with ½ cup (117 g) of shredded cheddar cheese and â…“ cup (75 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake the dish for 30 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C) and then serve it. [7] X Research source
- The casserole will be super hot when it finishes, so use potholders to take it out and let it cool for a few minutes before you serve it.
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Slice the jicama vertically then cut across the slices to produce fries. Hold the peeled jicama stable on your cutting board and cut it into even slabs about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Then, cut across the slices to slice them into even sticks about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. [8] X Research source
- Cut all of the jicama into even sticks.
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Microwave the fries in a bowl of water for 6 minutes. Jicama is much tougher than potato, so it needs to be softened before you bake it. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add your fries into. Microwave the fries for a full 6 minutes and let the bowl cool before you remove it so you don’t burn your hands. [9] X Research source
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Dry the jicama, spread them on a baking sheet, and drizzle them with olive oil. Remove the fries from the bowl of water and use paper towels to pat them dry. Place the fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the fries so they’re nice and coated. [10] X Research source
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Season the fries and bake them for 40 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C). Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika over the fries to season them. Slide the tray into your oven and let the fries cook for 40 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, let the fries cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy! [11] X Research source
- If you want a spicy kick, sprinkle some cayenne or red pepper flakes over your fries!
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Use jicama like you would use carrots or broccoli as tasty dipping items.Thanks
Warnings
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you’re cutting jicama into matchsticks.Thanks
- Avoid eating the tough, bitter skin on the jicama.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.theroastedroot.net/jicama-turnip-slaw/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/s6r9k0uZX-w?t=5
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/jicama-most-exciting-vegetable-youre-not-eating-the-vegetable-butcher-220006
- ↑ https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-jicama/
- ↑ https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-jicama/
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/roasted-jicama-36543
- ↑ https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/side-casserole/cheesy-baked-jicama.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/s6r9k0uZX-w?t=49
- ↑ https://www.asweetpeachef.com/jicama-fries/
About This Article
Jicama is a root vegetable, similar to a potato. There are several ways to cook it, but they all start with washing and peeling the jicama. Rinse the jicama under cool water to remove any dirt or residue, then set it on a cutting board. Slice the top and bottom off the jicama with a sharp kitchen knife. Moving from top to bottom, slice the peel off the jicama with your knife or a vegetable peeler. Once the jicama is peeled, you can incorporate it into a variety of dishes. For example, chop it up into cubes and sauté it in a frying pan with chopped onions and green peppers. Heat 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of olive oil in the pan over medium heat, then add the cubed jicama and cook it for a few minutes until it’s browned. Mix in the onions and peppers, then add ¼ cup (59 ml) of water. Sauté the mixture until the jicama is tender. If you want, you can also stir fry the jicama with other vegetables or add in a protein, such as chicken, steak, or tofu. Jicama also tastes great roasted with chopped onions and garlic. Add 2 cups (260 g) of chopped jicama to a baking dish, along with 1 small, chopped onion and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Stir in a spoonful of olive oil and season the veggies to taste with parsley and rosemary, then bake them in the oven at 400 °F (204 °C) for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes. You can even incorporate jicama into your favorite casserole recipe in place of potato. If you’d rather enjoy jicama by itself, cut it into thin strips, like French fries. Microwave the strips in a bowl of water on high for 6 minutes to soften them, then pat them dry with paper towels. Spread the strips on a baking sheet in a single layer and drizzle them with olive oil, then season them however you like. For instance, you can just use salt and pepper, or give them some kick with a bit of cayenne pepper. Bake the fries in the oven for 40 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C), let them cool for a few minutes, and enjoy. For more tips, like how to make a cheesy jicama casserole, keep reading!
