Jicama question

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:15 pm

I purchased a small Jicama today. the label reads

Also known as a Mexican potato

Is this considered a night shade then? I googled the question and could not find a definite answer.

Post by **tex** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 8:09 am

Hi Charlotte,

While the jicama is a member of the same order as nightshades, (Solanales), it's a member of a different family. Nightshades are members of the Solanaceae family, while the jicama is a member of the Convolvulaceae family, which includes morning glory and sweet potato.

If you can tolerate sweet potatoes, you should be able to tolerate las jicamas.

Tex

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 8:14 am

Thanks Tex.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:34 am

For some reason, I DO NOT TOLERATE jicama. I've had it twice, and each time it game me the worst gas of my life. This was pre-MC. I wonder if it would simply give me D now.

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:28 pm

I love good jicama (poor quality jicama is tasteless and stringy), and it has never bothered me. When I was a kid, in Burma, we called them "ice potatoes."

I thought I read somewhere recently that jicama was a legume. I eat them anyway, though, even though I avoid legumes.

cjbndtsn · Post by **cjbndtsn** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 2:51 pm

Again something I have never heard of but will now investigate into this so I can understand more of these. These are the type of topics that are so intriguing and interesting to learn about. Maybe when I grow I can be just like Tex or Polly!!! haha I'll never hold a candle to their knowledge!!! I'm on a Jicama search now

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:45 pm

Never had it...looks like a large turnip.

How do you cook it? like a potato?

Thanks,

Monique

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:08 pm

Monigue , You usually eat Jicama raw. It's very crunchy and refreshing. And Cathy, if you have never heard of it, it's pronounced like the J is an H ( don't want you to sound strange when you ask for it in the store) :)

Leah

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:27 pm

It's nice cooked and mashed, and also grated like a slaw

BTW - has anyone had kohlrabi. I love it, but am scared to try.

cjbndtsn · Post by **cjbndtsn** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:21 am

Leah and Lesley,
Sounds interesting......if I shredded it could it be cooked up like hash browns??? Does it taste like a potato??? I do love my potatoes!!!

thanks

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:58 am

I have never cooked them. I peel it, cut off a slice and eat it raw. Put the rest in a baggie in the refrigerator.

I love kohlrabi also. I grew up with them. My Dad always planted them in his garden.

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:01 pm

Leah,

RAW? did you say that?

Looks like jicama (of Hicama as Leah phonetically spelled it :-) is going to go the way Mexican and Chinese restaurants went

Monique

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:11 pm

You are pretty funny Monique :) Yes, raw..... I know, I know some of us can't do raw yet. Someday though. Someday. I have to say that getting my baby greens salad back into my life was one of the best things EVER!
Hang in there!

Leah

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:01 pm

I tried kohlrabi a couple of years ago, cooked like fried potatoes with bacon. It was delicious, but didn't agree with me.

Gloria

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:56 pm

I have never tried either fried, but love them both raw and cooked. Cooked the taste is quite similar, but raw they are subtly different. Kohlrabi is even more crunchy than jicama and the latter is sweeter. They are wonderful in salad.

Monique, I would think they would be good in juice too, since they both have a high water content, though jicama is juicier than kohlrabi. I must give them a try when I get in control of my currently horribly uncontrollable gut.
How are you today?