The humble jicama is not an attractive food. It doesn’t have the colorful blush of a strawberry or a mango; it doesn’t even have the curious outer fur of a coconut or a peach. You probably walk by jicama in your grocery store all the time because it mostly just…is. Lumpy and pale and bland. But if you’re judging this book by its cover, you’re missing out!

Jicamas are actually the roots of the jicama plant; they look like a small onion and have the texture of an apple or a potato. They’re sweet, starchy, and respond well to all kinds of preparation. Like these, for example!

 Grilled Jicama
serves 4-8

1 medium jicama, peeled, quartered and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
Olive oil
Salt
Fresh lime juice

Preheat the grill until hot. Brush both sides of the jicama slices with a small amount of oil. Place them on the grill and cook about 1 minute per side. Remove from grill and sprinkle with salt and lime juice.

Jicama Salad    
1 large jicama (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, then julienned or cubed
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 a large cucumber, seeded, chopped
1 navel orange, peel cut away, sliced crosswise, then each round quartered
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup lime juice
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of paprika
Salt

Toss together the jicama, bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, orange, and cilantro in a large serving bowl. Pour lime juice over all. Sprinkle with a pinch of cayenne and paprika. Season generously with salt.

Let sit a half an hour before serving.

Jicama Apple Dessert

3 cups jicama
2 cups apples
1/3 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup Bisquick or flour
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped nuts
 

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 8×8 inch baking dish. Slice jicama and apples and place in baking dish. Combine apple juice, sugar, and nutmeg and pour over apple and jicama mixture. Combine brown sugar and Bisquick/flour.

Cut in butter until crumbly. Spread over apple and jicama mixture. Top with nuts, if desired. Bake 35 minutes until done.