Jicama, Carrots and Raspberries in a Thyme Dressing
Mark’s daily salad is so good that it’s easy to eat it every single day of the year. But it’s nice to change things up from time to time, so with the Primal Challenge in mind I wanted to share a rustic salad recipe that’s both tasty and uncomplicated. I frequently use it as an alternative to the Big Ass Salad. This salad is not “technically” a salad in the conventional way, as it contains no leafy greens, but it’s easy to put together and complements most poultry and seafood. The dish itself would also make a great midday snack.
The recipe starts with with healthy fats. Extra virgin olive oil and pine nuts are the central sources of nourishment, while fresh thyme gives the salad added flavor and aromatic oils. The raspberries, which are optional, add a delicious tartness. If you can get your hands on a fresh handful to throw in, it’ll be worth it, especially with the lime juice spritzed on top. Jicama, in all its wonderful versatility, provides crispness to the mixture that reminds me of kohlrabi or cucumber, but more satisfying.
A tip about using herbs: Chopping herbs can bruise them, so rather than use a kitchen knife for the garnish, small kitchen scissors should be used to snip the fluffy leaves (if you don’t have kitchen scissors use sewing scissors). Or just pluck them off by hand. Sprinkle small leaves liberally over the final dish and enjoy this nutrient-packed component to your daily Primal routine.
How’s that for a twist on a daily salad?
Ingredients:
½ jicama, peeled and diced
5 sprigs fresh thyme
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pine nuts
Carrots, diced
Fresh lime
Raspberries (optional)
Directions:
To make the thyme-infused olive oil, pour oil into a glass container (or bowl) and add thyme sprigs, allowing enough time for flavors to blend (approximately 30 minutes minimum, longer = stronger)
In medium bowl, mix jicama and carrots together, adding raspberries if desired.
Sprinkle with leaves of fresh thyme and pine nuts. Spritz with fresh lime juice and oil as desired, mixing ingredients together with a fork. Serves one.
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Posted By: Worker Bee
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that looks good, but the omegas sound great.
Looks pretty tasty (with or without the Omegas)!
Sounds good, but way to vegetarian. I’d appreciate some more meat recipes…
This looks really good. Just heading to the store, hope they carry jicama.
PS Also like the fact you don’t use the first letters of extra virgin olive oil to describe it. Drives me crazy when people do.
And.. what do you do when you have no access to “jicama” It’s actually the first time I ever heard about it. Can you replace it with something else and still get the same taste?
Commonly used in Mexican cuisine, jicama is a a tuberous root vegetable. They range in size from about 1-3 pounds, and are covered in a light brown, fibrous skin. Peeled and sliced into sticks, they’re great for dipping in hummus or other veggie dips. Texture similar to an Asian Pear, slightly milky and sweet in taste. Really good!
Never heard of it either, much less seen it in any stores around here.
Guess I’ll have to look into it.
Are the pine nuts a really necessary ingredient? Kind of pricey here.
juno61, you could easily sub any other nut for that, i’m sure.
i just discovered jicama in santa fe. it was in my salad at the same meal that i had nopalitas (CACTUS)….flippin’ yum!
so easy, a caveman could do it
Sounds good! Jicama is almost sweet like an apple. I do get tired of the typical green leafy salads.
Interesting combo of ingredients. I love jicama!
I hope I win some fish oil because I take it daily
I have a love it/hate it relationship with jicama. It’s good for the first few bites, but when I buy and cut up a whole jicama I invariably waste half of it because I can’t bring myself to keep eating it. I haven’t really tried it mixed into a salad like this, but my husband definitely doesn’t like it so it’s probably a no go. The thyme infused olive oil looks wonderful though!
Jicama. Haven’t bought it in ages. Must remedy that.
mmm I love Thyme…usually the jicama I get is bland and watery so I imagine this will add good flavor
Thanks!
Nothing better than thinly sliced jicama with tomato, garlic, basil and EVOO on top. Best “bruchetta” ever!
Think I’ll try this with the Ostrich steaks I’m going to grill for dinner!
Good to have a new dressing to try. And my girlfriend my actually be able to try it as well. She used to be allergic to all raw fruits and vegetables and all nuts. Every since she swithced to a more primal/paleo diet she has ben able to eat the raw fruits and vegetables, and just now started trying nuts. A cashew last night and an almond today and all is well.
Looks good! I love the crunch of jicama, too.
Unique recipe! Looks good.
Man, this looks good! As a neophyte primal, this makes me ancy to get in there and live it!
Hmmm… interesting recipe. Not sure if this one is for me though. However, fish oil is good stuff so I’m a posting!
Looks delicious!
My mother lives in the Yucatan and jicama is cheap and plentiful – forwarding her the recipe!
Never tried jicama, but it looks interesting.
I love jicama!
Sounds pretty awesome!
Never seen jicama on sale here in England. Do any British Primal people know where to source one as now I’m kind of intrigued to try it!
Haven’t tried jicama yet… have to give it a try if I can find it.
Looks delicious! Will have to try!
this looks really fresh & delicious!
Perfect timing. I just used jicama last night in my dinner and I had some left over. Looks like I know what i’m having for lunch. Thanks!
like the idea of thyme infused olive oil. definitely will try it out!
My fiancée had me try Jicama for the first time at a farmer’s market last year in Monterey, CA, and it was pretty good. Small chunks sprinkled lightly with cayenne pepper (I think). Juicy and sweet enough, with a nice, satisfying crunch to it.
Never heard of jicama. I’ll have to try some.
Jicama is so sweet tasting. I’d just go ahead and throw all those ingredients in with the salad of leafy greens.
yum!
Never had jicama before.. looks good though!
That looks great Mark! If you take this salad and roast it in a 425 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, you’d have a roasted root-veggie salad.
Easy and so tasty!
I’ve *never* run across jicama before… although I’d agree, meat recipes would be nifty too. I have a much easier time eating meat than the veggies. (remnants of a misspent childhood, I suppose.
)
Looks refreshing, perfect for summer!
I think crab cakes and a jicama salad will make a nice pairing for a delicious sunday dinner. Do I get extra points for catching and picking the crab?
I have to bring a salad to a relatives house for dinner tonight. I think I might make this!
man, it feels like every day theres some new veggie I had no idea existed. Fish oil yea yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
neat!
Love Jicama, thanks for another recipe to try out.
Looks great!
Looks delicious! These recipes are great. I just need more time…!
this looks great, I think everyone should know how to make a few dressings
A delightful, eclectic combination! Thanks; we’ll be eager to try that.
I also like MrsChopWoodCarryWater’s bruchetta idea.
Another great, modifiable, recipe with jicama can be found here:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Jicama-Salad-with-Lime-Juice-and-Fresh-Mint-354250.
P.S. This morning my husband and I tried another one of your recipes–the primal pancakes with blueberries and a smidge of banana slices in them. Yum!
I made a salad like this once, except it had radish instead of jicama. It was strange, but rather tasty.
MMM omega’s
LOOKS DELICIOUS.
Never taken fish oil… yet
Mmm anything with pine nuts in it is good in my book.
Fabulous recipe. And those photos are terrific!
mm this looks really good, I’ll have try it soon! and ya I take so much fish oil!
I love jicama – it tastes like a mild radish, but a little sweeter. And lime on jicama is the best! Great combos here, Mark!
looks good
Never liked jicama. But I do like the oil and lime dressing varient. It’ll be nice instead of vinegrette sometimes….
But I also agree – more meat recipes! I need more ways to cook them! Veggie recipes are easy to find, but so many meat ones are breaded.
i wish oily fish was better than fish oil…cause i just found some very old tilapia in the freezer…
looks good
made some jicama chips once…not bad!
Looks good to me. I haven’t thought about using jicama in a long time. This recipe is a good chance to do so.
Hard to locate in the Mid-West!
Looks refreshing.
Raspberries, jicama & carrots, oh my!
these recipes sure do make me hungry
Delicious, but how do you get satiety beat?
How do you handle cravings?
Thanks.
I’m going to have lunch now
Hi Mark, Another one for your future primal cook book!
I have to go out and get a jicama now. This looks very good.
Sounds very refreshing, although I have yet to try the jicama. Thanks!
I’ve never had Jicama, BUT I’ll try it to win a bottle of Vital Omegas…I’m due to order.
Just posting for my chance in the drawing.
I am a little confused – I love jicama and carrots, but didn’t buy them for my primal grocery trip because I thought they would be too high in carbs? Jicama is like eating a raw potato with a little extra sweetness which is delicious, but makes me think carbs. Please clarify because if jicama and carrots are fair game, I’m heading back to the store!
We’ve actually had to explain jicama to the cashier because they hadn’t heard of it before. Can’t wait to try.
that sounds pretty tasty.
like someone else asked…what’s a decent sub for jicama? i’ve never seen it sold around here?
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had jicama. I’d like to try it.
I wonder: does anyone have difficulty with “fishy burps”? I never do, so it raises my curiosity as to why it is used as an excuse for not taking fish oil pills.
i’m going to have to try this one! sounds great!
Fish burps FTW!
Omegas are crazy expensive in NYC!
I love jicama, but it sure is a pain in the butt to peel it. Do any of you have a special way to do it easily?
Can I buy pine nuts at a regular store, like Safeway? How about jicama (I have heard of it, but never shopped for it)?
Thanks, Doug
Tried the jicama hashbrowns before: not bad. This is more my speed, though. thanks for the recipe!
Yum! What a great use for jicama – I’m used to just eating it sliced into sticks, like carrots. Thanks!
Ooh! Now I know what I’m having with lunch! Great idea!
looks good
Looks tasty
Fish Oil for me?
Those vivid pics make the salad look fabulous. I am anxious to try jicama.
Looks good. Anything will go with Bacon!
I have been looking for recipes for jicama. I ate it when I lived in California many years ago.
Looks good! I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for the recipe. Never tried jicama. It’s always good to try new things
Looks delicious! I have thyme growing crazy in my garden – thanks for the flavored oil tip.
Interesting flavor combination.
Seems pretty tasty, thanks.
Whats jicama? Now I would kile to make the flavored oil.
What if you have a fear of silent j’s? Can you substitute something else in this recipe?
Great intro to good meat.
jicama and lime juice are an excellent combination.
Looks great. I’ve been using thyme in many of my meals lately. Grok On!
I saw some jicama in the grocery store a couple of days ago and was wondering what the heck it was and what I could do with it. This salad looks simple and delicious. I love throwing a few raspberries or strawberries in salads. It gives a nice contrast.
Mmm I’ve never tried jicama before. I’ve always wondered what the heck it is…
Wow, this looks amazing. Can’t wait to make it! Thanks for another great recipe.
Looks like I will have to find the thyme to make this!
Are bruised herbs bad for you?
Another use for jicama!
Wow, I love these simple recipes that don’t require too much heat.
Looks delicious! Keep it up worker bee!
Me an jicama go way back. I like to cut them up, cook them in a hot oven and eat them like french fries. It’s a pretty good substitute.
haven’t tried jicama yet. i need to get down with it
Looks great, love the simple ideas for meals
sounds tasty… anyone have any replacement ideas for the carrots? I am not too fond of them raw.
I have never eaten jicama.
Good summertime salad, walnuts are a cheaper alt. to pine nuts in my opinion.
Looks so good, but pretty sure you can’t get jicama here in New Zealand.
Yum.
I love your big ass salad. I call it the ‘epic salad’. I have it every single day, nearly. Some days I think, ’surely, I should be tired of the epic salad, maybe today I will have something else?’ and then i eat ’something else’, and I think, ’snap, I wish I had me an epic salad’, so I have a mini-epic salad for a midday snack. I think of all things your blog has contributed to my life, it is the idea that an epic salad is all a girl needs in life. thanks! now gimme that fish oil!
Just got turned onto this site from a trainer at the crossfit gym i go to. There is a group of us that just started the paleo diet.
The more fish the less you have to wish
Hey I just saw another New Zealand post! Cool, and she is probably right, have not heard of Jicama down here – what is it related to or a good substitute?
The salad looks great – its on my list.
Perfect summer dish
Looks ono! I have to say that my favorite recipe so far is the coconut encrusted chicken but I am anxious to try new salad recipes. Mahalos!
Anybody know if it’s a bad idea to infuse the oil for too long? Say a week or indefinitely? I wouldn’t mind making a big batch for use whenever I wanted a flavored oil.
Wow! Jicama has a very fiber-rich and Vitamin C-rich nutrient profile! What a healthy treat–and for such a low quantity of carbohydrates. Awesome.
Could the pine nuts be chopped up and mixed in the olive oil as well in order to extract more flavor? Since jicama is already starchy, and not the most paleo, is there a better substitution for the starchy carrot? Good thought in mind of the combo, though, for sweet, tart, and crispness.
Jicama scared me at first, but now I love it and will most definitely be trying this salad
Sounds great but I’m another foreigner (British) – none of the local shops carries Jicama. I’m not sure if you can get it in the UK, unless anyone knows otherwise?
1/2 cup of raw diced jimica is 5.5 carbs.
Not a fan of jicama myself. An idea for another non-green salad: roasted beet and orange with fennel and goat cheese with reduction of orange juice with cumin, cinnamon, and pimenton.
Comment Left…
I will definitely try this!
Omega man.
I was surprised the first time I tried it, how good jicama is raw. Not bad cooked in a stew either.
jicama, actually something I have never eaten, Might just try it now.
I’ve never seen jicama here in Stockholm. Made the recipe with cucumber instead, and some late raspberries from the woods at the edge of the city
Oh man, I hadn’t had jicama until I moved to LA, but now I love it! Oh, and fish pills too
Sounds delightful!
I LOVE FISH OIL
new recipes are always good…
looks like I would want to add bell pepper =)
I don’t have time for thyme (don’t care for it), but I’ll try it with some other herb. I’ve never had jicama so it will be an adventure.
Thanks so much for bring up Jicama again, Mark. I’ve been hesitant to try it as it’s so new to me but now with such a simple recipe it’s going on this week’s shopping list!
The closest thing I can think of that is similar to jicama is Jerusalem artichokes, also sold as sunchokes. You might have them growing wild along the side of the road where you live. They are the roots of tall daisy like flowers. They have a similar texture as jicama but Jerusalem artichokes are not usually as sweet. Good though. I like them best raw.
Those raspberries look great!
I’m only posting because I want the fish oil. Sorry everybody.
Carrots & jicama? Two of the sweetest root veggies quite readily available in US. Not even an American would want to add sugar to this salad !!!! (:- (how do you get the smiley face??!!)
Crisp, juicy and sweet makes me think high carbs.
Taking a quarter cup of jicama (2.9 gm carbs or 1.3 effective carbs) and carrots (3.1-0.9 or 2.2. gm eff carbs) + the salad dressing and adding to a bowl of greens would be pretty delicious and OK.
For me, eating much more wouldn’t work for my weight loss regime. They’re nice and if you’re male and not over weight maybe it’s OK to have >100 gm. I can’t eat more than 20 gm!
I love Mark’s Primal regime but for me, and others I know with carb sensitivities, eating carbs isn’t necessary!
http://www.bundyology.com/hpg/zz608.jpg
Apparently Al Bundy was way ahead of the game on the Vibram Five Fingers.
I think I’ll make this tomorrow!
Haven’t had or bought jicama in ages. I’ll have to remedy that on my next trip to the grocery. Thanks for the reminder.
my cheap plan to acquire fish oil…
I love raspberries, it’s too bad they don’t last very long; you must use them within a week of buying them…although I’m sure that if I found them from non-grocery store sources, they would last longer.
This looks great…I’m always looking for new ideas for salads.
Never had jicama before.
Great timing! I bought my first jicama yesterday.
BTW, Scott, I’m in the midwest (KS) and found it at a regular supermarket. I’ve also seen it at Whole Foods.
I’ve been doing the paleo thing and read MDA for a few months, but this is my first post here.
Hello!
Thyme. I might have to use thyme more often.
YUM. Cool and crunchy. Perfect for summer!
This sounds really good. I love jicama.
Sounds great!
Another additon to my grocery list this week! I prefer pine nuts sauteed in olive oil, brings out the flavor. Can’t wait to create this salad.
Calypso, Orion, and OMEGA-3!
I’m thinkin one or two of those primal coconut pancakes might go good with this!
Not sure about jicama, but I’m game for trying it.
Jicama what?
Like the thyme-infused oil. Will have to try that with fresh herbs from my garden. Grok had a garden, didn’t he?
Looks great…thanks Mark!
Interesting combo – will definitely have to give it a go!
I had to look up what jicama is. If I can find some I’ll try it out.
I’d like some
Odd combo and I am not too familiar with jicama. I guess I must try it and see.
Looks great!
Great Recipe Jicama is so versatile glad to see it on the site.
Jicama is fantastic. I should buy some. It’s been a loooong time.
Looks great, can’t wait to give it a try!
jicama fries are pretty good. didn’t know it was primal.
See the first Related Post from a few months ago ‘The Low-Carb Wonders of Jicama’. Apparently it’s about the same as a carrot as far as carb content! I have yet to try jicama, but my curiosity is aroused.
Sounds yummy; I’ve never tried jicama.
Another food to add to the list of new foods I’ve cooked with this year.
I need to find some jicama and try it.
yay! more recipes!
I really want to try jimica, And i’m going shopping shopping tomorrow, woo!
-Kane
Looks yummy!
i made this as part of my dinner tonight – and made an ungodly mess out of the jicama. my bull-in-a-china-shop method got it done quickly (and was fun) but there’s gotta be an easy way to handle it.
tricks?
As I commented down below, maybe try shredding it (and the carrot) using a mandolin or a “knuckle-buster” hand shredder instead of chopping it?
Never had jicama. Will try and look for it next time at the g-store, thanks Mark.
lucky seven…
Hmmm, I’m always up for jicama in my salad, it is like a mild apple.
fish oil win!
I like jicama. I also can’t eat a lot of it before feeling like I am sick of it, though. With thyme, it sounds like an unusual combo, so I’ll give it a whirl sometime.
Jicama also works for a ‘mindless crunchy food’ kind of snack for those who need something to munch on – just cut into thin sticks and put in a baggy, take to the office or eat in front of the boobtube.
how would you gather your own ‘pine’ nuts for this salad other than buying them at the grocer? I’ve never actually seen a pine nut in a pine cone, are they found somewhere else on the pine tree?
I have actually done this. Pinon pines grow all over New Mexico and in some places in AZ….don’t know where you’re from. Anyway, you wait until the nuts are ready to harvest, lay blankets on the ground beneath the tree (they are small and bushy) and shake the limbs. The nuts fall onto the blanket. They are in little hard shells. You have to then roast them in the oven and then put them in a cold wet towel right out of the oven so the shells crack (hopefully). Regardless, by the time you get done shelling them your fingertips will be raw bloody stumps. I recommend getting them at the grocery!! Costco sells them in a large package at a good price. Makes a mean pesto!
Pine nuts are actually the seeds out of a particular species of pine tree, I believe. Having said that, all pine cones do contain seeds inside, but they are popular foodstuff for the critters so you likely don’t see many of them in nature.
Sounds delicious! I love thyme…
I love Jicama, I make chips out of them sometimes, other times raw and chopped up in a salad. Will have to try this as well!
I’d love some fish oil
Mmmm food =)
I can never find any Jicana, I lived on the east side
I find that chunked jicama is a bit much (or not enough), and I think it would go better shredded, personally. Shred the carrots as well for consistency, and I think you’d have something.
My mother’s birthday is coming up, and I have been searching for a present to give her for some time. Your post solved that dilemma. My mother grows thyme in her garden. And, I’ve been trying to find a way to help her eat a more primal diet. So, my mother and I used her fresh thyme and we made today’s recipe together. My mother thoroughly enjoyed the meat. And, now she has a primal recipe that she can make on her own when I’m not home.
I can’t wait to make this! It will make lunch more exciting!
Looks interesting….
We will give Jicama a try.
Bok choy might go well in there, too.
Just bought some Jicama and was not sure what to do with it. Thank you v much!
Never had Jicama before. I need to spruce up my veggie horizons.
I will try that out soon. Must try jicama sooner or later. I hope I can get a hold of it over here in Switzerland.
Looks simple and good. Love the pictures-very artistic.
Never have had jicama
hmmmm
Looks good. Jicama has a nice crunch to it.
Is there much nutritional value in jicama? I’ve only seen it in a slaw before.
Jicama, it’s what’s for dinner. It will be tomorrow night’s side salad, maybe with a few pieces of avocado?
love fish oil!
Extra virgin olive oil is awesome.
Ooo! So many options with this salad! I find the mix of crunchy and mushy strange tho…
Hmm… interesting. Never would have thought about that. Thanks for the idea!
Nice photos and great idea for a salad!
This looks good, I’ll have to whip up a batch after the farmer market this Tuesday…
Hey Mark, the salad looks great.
Though I have no idea what it will taste like. Jicama…. jicama…. hmmm I’ve never heard of this vegetable before.
What is Jicama exactly?
I’m betting it’s something a person in Norway might have a tough time finding – unless it’s a common asian veggie. Lol.
Thanks for making me curious! I’m going hunting now.
Jicama? It’s a fancy word for a turnip right?
Jicama and raspberries sound like a good combination!
Luke– jicama and turnip are two different things.
This sounds delish. Love the addition of pine nuts especially!
It’s been a while since I’ve had jicama…. thanks for the reminder and the recipe!
My groc. bugget keeps me from eating healthy as I would like to,but I must try jicama. Where do I purchase it?
I love jicama, but have never found a way to use it in a recipe…usually I just eat whole pieces of it (which are also very tasty). Thanks for the great idea!
Looks great. I will try it!
These recipes on here are AMAZING!!
Truly, you should put out a cookbook next;)
What does Jicama taste like?
similar to an apple, just not as sweet tasting.
Jicama is great!
I think this one might be better with fresh blueberries rather than raspberries. Blueberries have their flavor intensified by citrus juice (very noticeable for out-of-season less tasty versions), and they are in prime season here in New England right now.
Nerver heard about Jicama… Will check it out when going to the World Market!!!
Recipe looks good! Would love the fish oil.
I can not wait to try out this cornucopia of flavor! *I am still a Jicama virgin :S*
I love Jicama..sounds yummy!
I used slivered jicama in salads before; this sounds like a good new way to use it.
This sounds very good! We have some jicama at home, and I can’t wait to get home to try it!
Hey Mark, thanks for the great ideas with recipes such as these. Having Celiacs Disease can really make cooking and finding foods tough but your website is such a great resource and is greatly appreciated.
Jicama is also great with lemon/lime cut in chunks plus a little Celtic Salt. Also great with a non primal margarita.
Thanks for all the Jicama ideas everyone!
So many great ideas here! Can’t wait to try this salad!
Sounds delish!
My mom is from Phoenix so Jicama was eaten a lot in salads
I don’t think carrots are worth the sugar.
One thing I didn’t see mentioned was sprinkling slices of jicama with paprika (or cayenne for a bit more bite) along with the lime juice. This is a favorite snack you see in Mexico.
I love jicama! They are crisp like an apple but not as sweet.
This idea for a jicama salad sound great! Thanks for the tip.
Will have to try the jicama1 never heard of it till this post.
This and fish oil too, a win, win!
Can’t wait to try this recipe but arent exactly where to find Jicama where we are.