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  • #16
    Re: Jicama

    Maggie here is some info on growing it. I would love to grow it as well..If it only needs a min of 4 months of warm, i may have some luck (I'd LOVE to have 9 months of summer!!). I will see if i can find some seeds online..
    Growing Info: Jicama is a tropical plant and thus requires at least 9 months of warm growing season for good sized roots to mature. However, if soil is rich, light and there is at least 4 months of warm weather available, the resulting roots will be smaller, but still quite delicious. Presoak seeds in water for about 24 hours before planting. Can be started indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. Transplant into your garden as soon is weather is warm, but be careful where you plant it as the ripe pods, leaves and seeds are toxic and narcotic. Care should be taken so that no humans or animals will mistakenly eat these parts. The immature seed pods are edible as well as of course the turnip like roots for which it is grown. Can be grown near a trellis for support or like pole beans. Can also be grown on the ground but then requires a lot of space. When they grow to about 3 feet tall, pinch the tips to promote horizontal branches. Tubers form as the days grow shorter and should be harvested before the first frost. If you allow the plants to go to seed, the root lobes will be small. Blossoms appear in late summer, but can be pinched out for maximum root growth.

    Standard Uses: This is an unusual vegetable that is becoming increasingly popular with American cooks, but has been grown in its native Mexico for centuries. More and more U.S. supermarkets are now carrying this turnip shaped, usually four lobed root. Its skin is a brownish gray, but its flesh is white and crisp. It's flavor resembles that of water chestnuts but is sweeter. Makes a great appetizer and is a very good addition in both taste and texture when added to salads.

    Jicama is a vine plant that makes an attractive ornament, deserving a place in your flower garden. It blooms profusely with white to lavender colored flowers that resemble sweet peas. Its leaves are heart shaped and large.

    Medicinal Uses: The leaves, ripe seed pods and seeds are toxic and narcotic. No known medicinal use.

    http://www.boldweb.com/greenweb/VH324.htm
    Jen, 39, F
    In maintenance



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    • #17
      Re: Jicama

      Thank you for the info!
      Maggie(F) age 31
      5'7"
      255/194/165 (a year ago)

      Restarted yet again 2/24/10
      212.5/212.5/165

      First goal-to get under 200 and NEVER see a 2 as the first number on the scale again!

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      • #18
        Re: Jicama

        I completely adore that you are willing to try all these new foods how cool is that anyway????

        I am sure if you find one ..you will like the jicama more than the avocado!!!!






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        • #19
          Re: Jicama

          I love jicama (I eat it raw) but I find that it seems to go bad fast! I just bought one two days ago and didn't eat it, and today I noticed all this slime on it...into the garbage it went!

          Anyone else have this problem? Should I be refrigerating it you think? (I mean, before I peel it or anything?)

          Sharon
          Started Atkins January 15th, 2004.

          Age 42/f
          5' 6 1/2"
          225/149/150 (for now)

          75 pounds gone forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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          • #20
            Re: Jicama

            Sharon ~ I have found them at the STORE with that almost moldy looking slime on them - ick! Because of that, I only buy what I know I can eat in a day or two and then just pick up more next time I am out. I end up at the grocery for produce at least every other day, so it's not a big deal. I, so far, have not refrigerated the ones I have had until after I cut into one, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't refrigerate the whole thing.
            35/F 5'9"
            HW 238/SW 205/LW 162/GW 160
            RESTARTED 1/2/2007
            SW 217/LW 194.8/GW 159
            sidetracked by life ...
            weightloss to be continued...
            currently working MAINTENANCE

            NON SMOKER since 2/21/2007.



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            • #21
              Re: Jicama

              I refrigerate mine immediately. They are refrigerated at the grocery, so I refrigerate them at home too. However, they don't last very long at my house LOL I peel it, slice it up and store it in a tupperware bowl in the refrigerator. If I buy a few at a time from the market, I'll slice one up and keep the others in the bottom drawer of the fridge until I'm ready to slice it up.
              ~Joy

              Start 1/2/06 Goal 6/11/07 restart 1/2/09
              268.5/196/185
              QUIT SMOKING JULY 23, 2006 while on Atkins


              Just when you think you've eaten enough vegetables...EAT SOME MORE!
              http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=ride2joy

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              • #22
                Re: Jicama

                I hope someone from the UK can tell me where to get it. Tesco and Waitrose dont stock it


                26 yr 5'2 F
                Did Atkins on and off from Feb 2005 until April 2008. Fluctuated between 15 st 1/211lbs and 11 st 1/155lbs.
                On different weightloss programme from 28th May 2008 start weight 14 st 11/207lbs.
                Current weight 10st 3lbs/143lbs.
                Ultimate Goal Weight 9 st/126lbs.

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                • #23
                  Re: Jicama

                  Hey Kylie, where do you live? I wonder if these slimy jicamas are a northeast thing?
                  Started Atkins January 15th, 2004.

                  Age 42/f
                  5' 6 1/2"
                  225/149/150 (for now)

                  75 pounds gone forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Jicama

                    I'm trapped in South Carolina. It looked to me like they were just getting OLD. I just checked again the next day and there were a whole pile of new ones and they weren't slimy yet! LOL!
                    35/F 5'9"
                    HW 238/SW 205/LW 162/GW 160
                    RESTARTED 1/2/2007
                    SW 217/LW 194.8/GW 159
                    sidetracked by life ...
                    weightloss to be continued...
                    currently working MAINTENANCE

                    NON SMOKER since 2/21/2007.



                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Jicama

                      Angelstar maybe this will help:

                      http://www.oakleaf-european.co.uk/retail.htm (listed under Yambean) has a phone number for retailers in the UK

                      UK distributor of Jicama seeds if you are interested in growing them if you can't find them in your area http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chiltern...BCDQ_+&cid=211


                      Jen, 39, F
                      In maintenance



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                      • #26
                        Re: Jicama

                        Thanks for the link Sadie, I've sent them an email to the Oakleaf site. Hopefully they can help me!

                        I hope I can get one, I wana know what all the fuss is about!


                        26 yr 5'2 F
                        Did Atkins on and off from Feb 2005 until April 2008. Fluctuated between 15 st 1/211lbs and 11 st 1/155lbs.
                        On different weightloss programme from 28th May 2008 start weight 14 st 11/207lbs.
                        Current weight 10st 3lbs/143lbs.
                        Ultimate Goal Weight 9 st/126lbs.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Jicama

                          Hopefully you have some luck...

                          when I googled it I did come across a few UK recipes sites that had jicama as an ingredient, and one that mentioned that jicama originated in Spain. I wonder if it's imported from there to any stores.

                          I have a really hard time finding it here too..since we're not close to mexico, and we have a very small mexican population compared to the US. '

                          Are there any spanish grocers near you or that you know of? that might be another good way to search it.
                          Jen, 39, F
                          In maintenance



                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Jicama

                            I too was curious about ALL of the love expressed towards Jicama and did a little research.
                            Jicama (Yam Bean, MexicanTurnip)



                            Description - Jicama, a legume, is grown for the large tuberous roots which can be eaten raw or cooked and are used as a source of starch. The jicama plant is a vine which grows to a length of 20 feet or more. The roots are light brown in color, and may weigh up to 50 pounds. Most of those on the market will weigh between three to five pounds.

                            Culture - Jicamas are actually perennials and produce their large roots after several years of growth. They are commonly found in frost free regions. In Texas, seed can be planted in the early spring and small tubers harvested before the first killing frost of the winter.

                            Availability - Jicamas are offered in Texas supermarkets but are more popular in South Texas. Most of those on the market are imported from Mexico and South America.

                            Selection - Jicamas are suitable for consumption at any stage of growth (size). Look for well formed tubers that appear fresh and are free of cracks and bruises.

                            Storage - Jicamas, like most other root crops, will store for relatively long periods of time in the refrigerator. However, conversion of starch to sugar will result if stored for excessive periods and should be avoided.

                            Nutrition Information - A 3-1/2 ounce serving of jicama provides 39 calories and about 25% of the RDA for vitamin C.

                            Preparation - Remove the peel including the fibrous flesh directly under the skin. Cut or slice and serve raw or use as a substitute for water chestnuts. Saute or stir fry -- it stays crisp when cooked. A one pound jicama yields about three cups chopped or three cups shredded flesh. Microwave Instructions - Peel and cut one pound into " cubes or julienne strips. Place in 2-quart covered casserole with 1/4 cup water; microwave on high for 8-9 minutes. Stir once. Serve with honey, butter, salt and pepper , sweet and sour sauce, sour cream or yogurt dressing.






















                            **My Stats**
                            F/29/5'3''/SAHM
                            Re-Start January 15th 2007
                            SW 266.5/CW 244.5/GW 165
                            next *mini goal* 240

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                            • #29
                              Re: Jicama

                              Thanks for that link, Jen, I was amazed to see they are based in Bournemouth!!

                              I shall definitely be phoning them tomorrow to find who they supply in the town with jicama!
                              Wondering how to get 'most' of your net carbs from your induction veggies?
                              Take a look at the thread from the latest Veggie Challenge to see how others manage it!



                              Check out our Low Carb Recipes website and add to it!!





                              F/60 yrs/5ft 5.5" (Though due to collapsing vertebrae I am now only 5'3" - but I refuse to recalculate my BMI )

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