Jicama

[alicia_2007]

So from what I've found out on the net a jicama can also be called a mexican potato or turnip. However I can't find anywhere that knows what a jicama is let alone stocks them. What could I use as an alternative? I'm dreaming of the garlicky crisps someone posted a while ago!

Thank you! :)

[juliebove]

They are common here on the West Coast, but when I lived in NY I couldn't find them at all. They are a little like a raw potato but without the starchy flavor. A little like a turnip but milder. Not sure what would substitute well. Maybe celery root?

[Eva]

Not trying to be funny... but... are you saying it correctly?? I was pronouncing it "ji-kah-mah", but apparently it's "hik-uh-muh." I got them to special order it for me when I was in FL, and they just happen to get it where I am in MA. I finally had a wise guy making a few jokes at my expense to find out why no one knew what it was when I was saying it wrong. :eek:

Good luck. :)

[Stina]

I hope you can locate them. How about any Mexican stores in your area? I've been unable to make a decent raw potato chip but am very pleased with a jicama version where I cut them thin with a cheap mandolin, smear each slice with olive oil that I dipped my finger into, then sprinkle with nutritional yeast and sea salt. very very good!

[alicia_2007]

yeah I did some research and even pronounced it correctly! I've sent out emails too giving the spelling and it's alternative names and still nobody knows what I am talking about. Maybe it's just not common in New Zealand. As for Mexican stores.. I have no idea if we even have one I'll do some research. Thanks guys!:)

[raweater]

Luckily and amazingly, my local grocery store in Quebec, Canada has these! Sorry I can't be of any help.

[Rubyred]

I just had a jicama salad today. They have a natural sweetness to them, and are great to eat completely raw.

Are the garlicky crisps dehydrated? If so maybe a sweet potato or yam might be a good replacement - it would have the sweetness that a jicama would have.

[lori ann]

I hope you can find them, but where to look in New Zealand?? I find mine here in Ohio at a store called Meijers-I am lucky I also find my young coconuts there as well. Good luck to you.

Stina good idea for those chips I am going to try that. I have been craving chips lately-thanks!

[rawgreenyogini]

Maybe you can't find them in New Zealand now because where they are grown it's winter???

Not sure it was just a thought.

That's too bad. I like the taste...kinda like a wet, sweet, crunchy potato without the starchiness.

[Live Love Laugh]

I recently read that someone was useing FIRM PEAR in place of Jicama .. I think the sweet potatoe or yam might work as well ..
Not sure about pear and garlic tho ..:confused:

[Stina]

I'm wondering if your climate would allow you to grow it.

[alicia_2007]

I have used yams just they are so little and the jicama has a huge surface area comparatively, maybe i'll just have to be dainty and make mini versions!:rolleyes:

[Stina]

Hey, I'm going to come over to New Zealand and bring you some seeds! ;)

[alicia_2007]

haha if they let you in the country with them! we can't get hemp seeds here much to my dismay, there are quite a few things I've noticed aren't common here, bummer!:p

[Stina]

psst......! got some black market jicama here for ya! and some non-pasteurized almonds too. Meet you in a dark allery :p

[alicia_2007]

hahahahaha!:D

[subbacultcha]

Turnips are like jicama??? I've been looking for a jicama sub for ages and it was right in front of my nose the whole time! We have turnips in the fridge :o

[lily]

I think swedes are much more like jicama than turnips because they taste sweeter. When I managed to get a jicama (at the new Whole Foods in Kensington, London) I thought it was very much like a firm but mellow golden delicious apple. But, frankly, I was a bit disappointed -- I'd longed to try it for ages, but when eventually I managed to, I thought it was pretty ordinary, really!

[subbacultcha]

Thanks lily!

[unbent]

I just bought a jicama from our local Meijer store for .99/lb yesterday. I quickly made a batch of jicama chips using the suggested recipe from Stina when I got home. I am munching on them right now. Thank you Stina, they are very good. A two pound jicama sliced with a cheap mandolin slicer made more slices than I could fit into one load. Darn. ;-})

Andy