jicama

American  

[hee-kuh-muh, hik-uh-] / ˈhi kə mə, ˈhɪk ə- /

noun

1. the large, edible, tuberous root of a tropical American plant, Pachyrhizus erosus, of the legume family, eaten as a vegetable either raw or boiled.

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jicama British  

/ dʒɪˈkɑːmə, xɪkama /

noun

1. a pale brown turnip with crisp sweet flesh, originating in Mexico

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Etymology

Origin of jicama

1900–05; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl xīcama, xīcamatl

Example Sentences

But on one spring evening, Fadul and her team served thin slices of the raw fruit, which tastes like a cross between jicama and cucumber.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2024

I included the usual suspects like cucumber, carrots and celery, but also radishes, jicama, cauliflower, broccoli and a couple things I'm not sure I had ever even had before in my quest for variety.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2023

Also good choices are root vegetables, such as carrots, jicama or turnips, that can be eaten cooked or raw, and fruits, such as apples, bananas, lemons and oranges.

From Washington Post • Dec. 5, 2022

The root part is mild, juicy and sweet and may remind you of a variation of jicama.

From Salon • Aug. 12, 2022

Heather nibbles through her jicama and whole-grain roll, and blows me off while she eats her baby carrots.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson