Jicama

Jicama is a sweet, crisp root vegetable with a texture often described as a cross between sweet potato and water chestnut. Low in starch and carbohydrates, each plant produces one large root that can grow up to 5 pounds.

At a glance

• Type: Tropical root vegetable (tuber)
• Texture: Sweet, crisp, juicy
• Root size: Up to 5 pounds
• Yield: One root per plant
• Sun: Full sun, warm season
• Note: Low in starch and carbohydrates
• Non-GMO: Open-pollinated

Best for

• Fresh, crunchy snacking
• Slaws and salads
• Veggie trays with dip
• Low-carb cooking
• Stir-fries

How to grow

Jicama needs a long, warm season, so start seeds indoors early and transplant into full sun once the soil is warm. Pinching back the seed pods diverts the plant's energy into root production for larger tubers. Note that only the root is edible; the foliage, pods, and seeds are toxic.

Flavor profile

Mildly sweet and refreshingly crisp, like a juicy cross between an apple and a water chestnut.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based seed company offering affordable, non-GMO heirloom seeds for home gardeners.