What? You’ve never heard of jicama?! I’m shocked! Just shocked, I tell you! The next thing I know you’ll be telling me you’ve never heard of hearts of palm either. Sheesh!
Jicama (pronounced hee-kuh-muh – like THAT’s not fun to say!) is a sweet root vegetable that sort of resembles a turnip (I may not be helping you much yet). It has a very mild flavor and a great raw-apple-like crunch. It takes on the flavor of whatever it is near, so it’s great in a fruit salad with a marinade like this one. When you’re buying one it will look like an overgrown potato. You want to peel off that coarse skin with a vegetable peeler or knife (the same way you’d peel a potato) to reveal the white flesh inside. C’mon…stay with me here. It’s fun to try new things.
After months of melon and grape salads, this one will be a nice change of pace. Pair it with grilled fish or chicken for a fresh side dish on a warm night and toast to your expanding palate!
Jicama Fruit Salad
serves 4
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon poppy seed
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 cup peeled jicama, cut into thin strips
1 seedless orange, peeled and sectioned (or use mandarin oranges, drained as a “cheat”)
1 medium apple, thinly sliced
1/2 pound fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
butter, green or red leaf, or other mild flavored lettuce, washed
Directions:
1. Combine lime juice, honey, water, poppy seeds, and grated orange peel in a small jar. Shake well and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl combine jicama strips, orange slices, apple, and pineapple. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
3. Line salad plates with lettuce and top with fruit salad to serve.