A few years ago I started on a mission to discover new fruits and vegetables. Each week, I would peruse the unique displays of produce, selecting varieties that I had never before eaten or cooked with. Eventually, I discovered the jícama and it is now on my list of favorites.
Jícama is a root vegetable of Mexican origin, also known as the Mexican Yam or Mexican Turnip. It has a crunchy texture, much like an apple, but a very mild, earthy flavor. This particular recipe is a spicy, savory one, but jícama effortlessly combines with fresh fruit as well.
This recipe is not entirely original. After googling various recipes I found this recipe for Spicy Thai Jícama Salad. Although that original recipe was delicious, I made a few alterations and substitutions to fit my own taste, and what I had in the cupboard at the time.
1 medium jícama, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
¼ cup red onion, rough chopped
½ cup fresh cilantro, rough chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded & rough chopped (optional)
Dressing:
3 TBS Chili Paste
1 TBS Hot Chinese Mustard
1 TBS Fish Sauce
2 TBS Peanut Butter
2 TBS coconut oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 TBS fresh ginger, peeled & minced
Juice of 2 Limes
Finish:
1 TBS sesame seeds
Sprinkle of Old City Salts Smoked Serrano, Ghost Pepper, or Thai Ginger Sea Salt (Optional)
In a large bowl, combine Jicama, onion, cilantro, jalapeno. Toss together and set aside.
In another bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients until well incorporated. If it looks too thick, add some olive oil until you reach desired consistency. You should end up with about 1 cup of dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve chilled, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a pinch of your favorite Old City Salt blend.
*This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days, just give it a toss before serving as the dressing tends to pool at the bottom.
Insatiable Sisters 