Orange & Jicama Salad

This colorful salad uses jicama, a crunchy and sweet root vegetable paired with oranges, lime and cilantro!

This colorful salad uses jicama, a crunchy and sweet root vegetable common to Latin countries. The pairing with oranges and cilantro gives it a distinctive Mexican flair. It would be a wonderful salad to serve with Vegetarian Chili or your favorite Mexican meal. During the winter holidays, add some pomegranate seeds to make it even more festive.

Food as Medicine

Low-calorie and high in vitamin C, jicama also contains a polysaccharide (linked group of simple sugars) known as inulin, which research has indicated improves calcium absorption in bones, possibly helping to prevent osteoporosis.

4 cups jicama, peeled and julienned
2 oranges, sectioned
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

1. Mix the jicama, orange sections, and chopped cilantro in a bowl.
2. Whisk together the remaining ingredients, toss with the jicama-orange mixture.
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.