Vegetable
Mexican Jicama
S tier
Mexican jicama is the round to turnip-shaped market tuber central to street snacks with lime, salt, and chili powder—and to Christmas ensalada de nochebuena. Flesh is snowy white and water-crisp when fresh. Large roots can hollow slightly; medium ones often eat best. Peel, cut batons, and serve raw as the default. Also shredded into slaws with orange and cilantro. The cultural default behind the English word jicama.
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Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Agua Fresca GarnishEnsalada NochebuenaOrange Cilantro SlawRaw BatonStreet Chili Lime
Traits
Chili Lime PartnerMexican ClassicRaw FirstRoundRound Market TuberSnowy White FleshStreet Snack ClassicWater Crisp
History
MX
Mexican markets already traded jicama as a refreshing raw vegetable.
MX
Street vendors codified chili-lime jicama as popular antojito produce.
US
Mexican jicama filled US Hispanic and mainstream produce sections.
MX
Mexico remained a primary fresh jicama exporter.