jicama sticks

Jicama? What in the world is jicama? That was my reaction when I saw this veggie for the first time. Talk about intimidating. There are certain fruits and vegetables you see and immediately give up on before even trying to figure out what to do with them. Shockingly, jicama is a lot easier to work with than it may appear, and this simple recipe is a perfect example.

Simply peel off the brownish outer skin and cut the jicama into your favorite shape (sticks, in this case). The crunchy jicama is complemented by lime juice, a bit of salt, and a sprinkling of mild paprika. The simple flavors of this dish are a perfect addition to the lunch box or as an after-school snack.

Makes 1½ cups

1 medium jicama, peeled

Juice of a lime

¼ teaspoon mild paprika

¼ teaspoon salt

1. Cut the jicama into 3-inch sticks.

2. Place all the ingredients in a bowl, toss to combine, and serve.

TIP: When looking for jicama at your local grocery or Latin market, you’ll see a large root with a light brown outer skin. Some people even say it looks like an overgrown potato.

See the photograph for this recipe.