• Share:
  • Send to Reddit
  • Send to StumbleUpon
  • Send to Facebook
  • Send to del.icio.us
  • Send to digg

Picking a Jicama

Help! I love Jicama, but every one I pick out at the grocers is hard or starchy without the sweetness. How do I tell if they are sliceable, crispy and sweet for my next vegetable tray? They all feel the same.

5 Comments:

They're not a seasonal vegetable, so the they're not better in the summer than at any other time. Try to purchase one from a neighborhood Mexican or Latin grocery instead of from a chain grocer. Select the smallest one you can find--it'll be younger and sweeter, less starchy and woody. Smooth skin, heavy for it's size.

Second that rec about the size. The bigger ones are usually too old, hence woody and starchy. I would get it from a source which I'm sure it's fresh, like a farmer's market or one with good produce turnover.

And (this may be really obvious but...) make sure it's really firm when you squeeze it. Push your thumb into it -- the flesh should not give at all under the pressure.

Not only are the large ones woody and starchy, once sliced, they go downhill quickly. Purchase a small one - not only are they sweeter but you're more likely to get your money's worth by using the whole thing.

Thanks! I've been doing all the wrong things, buying the big ones and cutting them the "day before." Even soaking in water until use didn't help. Glad I asked!

Add a comment:

Comments can take up to a minute to appear - please be patient!

Previewing your comment:

 

HTML Hints

Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>

Comment Guidelines

Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.

If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.

Start Talking!

Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!

Sign up to start a talk topic

Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.