Kids & Company Blog

Crisp & Juicy Jicama

Crisp, juicy and sweet are the words used to describe this delicious vegetable and jicama is just that! This Mexican yam bean or turnip is unlike other tubers. Like yams and sweet potatoes, you can enjoy jicama completely raw or cooked! Jicama is available year-round, while its peak season is between November and June. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or cut up jicama can be sealed and refrigerated for 1 week. To enjoy jicama, peel the outer fibrous layer (similar to potatoes), and cut in any shape or form! Jicama is extremely versatile, and pairs well with a variety of flavours.

Jicama's health benefits are mainly derived from the unique mixture of vitamins and minerals with an extra boost of fiber and vitamin C.  It aids in digestion, boosts your immune system, helps with brain functions and aids in maintaining the health of our circulatory systems… this is a busy veggie!

Try serving it raw with a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of salt, and a touch of chili powder for a healthy snack or add it to salad for a nice crunch and a healthier alternative! You can also cut it into sticks and dunk them in your favourite dip! Try using our Kidco Kitchen Happy Hummus and let us know whether you loved this flavour explosion in your mouth!  Jicama also sautés nicely, absorbing the flavours from the sauce and retaining that great, jicama crunch. Jicama can also be baked, steamed and fried and pairs well with fresh flavours like cilantro, ginger, lemon and lime.  Jicama also makes an excellent base for a salsa or slaw. The options are endless for this deliciously diversified veggie.

Our favourite way to eat jicama is either raw and crunchy or baked into chips! 

To bake it into chips, peel a 1-pound jicama in half lengthwise. Slice the jicama very finely.  Spread the slices out over parchment-lined baking sheets and fit the jicama in single layers. Brush the jicama on both sides with a thin coating of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 200°F, turning the jicama every 20 minutes or so, until crisp, 90 to 100 minutes.

No matter what type of method you choose to prepare jicama, you can’t really go wrong with this delicious side-dish or snack! Spring has finally sprung, so get out there, enjoy the beautiful weather and have fun crunching on jicama with your families!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!

Cheers,

Chef Lisa Ruscica

Chief Food Ambassador

Posted on: Wednesday April 25th, 2018

Posted by: Lisa Ruscica