Jícama, Avocado, Radish & Orange Salad with Cilantro

The cool, crunchy jícama and radishes in this salad make a glorious contrast to the buttery avocado and sweet-tart oranges.

• 4 oranges
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 clove garlic
• Kosher salt
• 5 Tbs. fresh lime juice; more to taste
• Large pinch cayenne
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small jícama (about 1-1/4  pounds)
• 8 small red radishes, cut into very thin round slices
• 5 scallions, dark green tops trimmed; cut diagonally into thin slices
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large ripe but firm avocados
• 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

Finely grate 2 tsp. zest from the oranges and set the zest aside. With a sharp paring knife, slice the ends off the oranges. Stand each orange on one of its cut ends and pare off the rest of the peel in strips, making sure to remove all of the pith. Working over a small bowl, carefully cut the orange segments away from the connective membrane. Squeeze the membranes over the bowl to get any remaining juice.

Put the cumin seeds in a small, dry skillet and toast over medium heat until slightly browned and aromatic, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and let cool. Grind the seeds to a fine powder in a mortar and pestle or an electric spice mill.Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt. Put the garlic paste and cumin powder in a small bowl (or keep it in the mortar) and whisk in the 2 tsp. orange zest, 3  Tbs. orange juice (from the bowl of orange segments), the lime juice, and the cayenne. Let the mixture sit for 5  to 10 minutes, and then whisk in the olive oil.

Meanwhile, peel the jícama and it cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks 2 to 3 inches long. In a large bowl, combine the jícama, radishes, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper and toss with about two-thirds of the vinaigrette. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes to let the flavors mingle.

Just before serving, thinly slice the avocados diagonally. Lay half of the avocado slices in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle some of the remaining vinaigrette on the avocado. Add the cilantro and orange segments to the bowl of jícama and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, and lime juice if needed. Put the jícama salad on top of the sliced avocado and tuck the remaining slices of avocado into the salad. Season the top slices with salt and drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Jícama, Avocado, Radish & Orange Salad with Cilantro

The cool, crunchy jícama and radishes in this salad make a glorious contrast to the buttery avocado and sweet-tart oranges.

• 4 oranges
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 clove garlic
• Kosher salt
• 5 Tbs. fresh lime juice; more to taste
• Large pinch cayenne
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small jícama (about 1-1/4  pounds)
• 8 small red radishes, cut into very thin round slices
• 5 scallions, dark green tops trimmed; cut diagonally into thin slices
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large ripe but firm avocados
• 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

Finely grate 2 tsp. zest from the oranges and set the zest aside. With a sharp paring knife, slice the ends off the oranges. Stand each orange on one of its cut ends and pare off the rest of the peel in strips, making sure to remove all of the pith. Working over a small bowl, carefully cut the orange segments away from the connective membrane. Squeeze the membranes over the bowl to get any remaining juice.

Put the cumin seeds in a small, dry skillet and toast over medium heat until slightly browned and aromatic, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and let cool. Grind the seeds to a fine powder in a mortar and pestle or an electric spice mill.Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt. Put the garlic paste and cumin powder in a small bowl (or keep it in the mortar) and whisk in the 2 tsp. orange zest, 3  Tbs. orange juice (from the bowl of orange segments), the lime juice, and the cayenne. Let the mixture sit for 5  to 10 minutes, and then whisk in the olive oil.

Meanwhile, peel the jícama and it cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks 2 to 3 inches long. In a large bowl, combine the jícama, radishes, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper and toss with about two-thirds of the vinaigrette. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes to let the flavors mingle.

Just before serving, thinly slice the avocados diagonally. Lay half of the avocado slices in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle some of the remaining vinaigrette on the avocado. Add the cilantro and orange segments to the bowl of jícama and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, and lime juice if needed. Put the jícama salad on top of the sliced avocado and tuck the remaining slices of avocado into the salad. Season the top slices with salt and drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Mexican-Style Slaw with Jícama, Cilantro & Lime

This slaw also makes a tasty topping for fish or chicken soft tacos.

• 1 small or 1/2 medium red or green cabbage (or use a mix of both, about 1-1/2 lb.), bruised outer leaves removed, cored, and cut into six wedges
• Kosher salt
• 1 medium jícama (about 1 lb.), peeled and quartered
• 4 scallions (white and green parts), thinly sliced on the diagonal (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; more to taste
• 1 jalapeño, seeded (if you like) and minced

Thinly slice the cabbage in a food processor using the 4mm slicing disk or by hand; you should have about 6 packed cups. Put the cabbage in a colander and toss it with 1 Tbs. kosher salt. Lay a plate that fits inside the colander on top of the cabbage and set a heavy can or jar on top of the plate. Drain the cabbage in the sink or over a bowl for 2 hours.

If using a food processor, switch to the grating disk and grate the jícama or cut it into very thin (julienne) strips by hand; you should have about 2 cups. Put the jícama in a large bowl and toss in the scallions and cilantro.

In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, lime juice, and jalapeño.

Turn the cabbage out onto a clean dishtowel or paper towels and pat it thoroughly dry. Toss the cabbage with the jícama and the lime mayonnaise. Season to taste with more kosher salt and lime juice if needed.

Jícama Slaw with Carrots and Red Peppers

Jícama is a crisp, juicy, slightly sweet tuber that looks like a squashed softball with rough, brown skin. After the jícama is peeled, the raw flesh is great in salads, salsas, and slaws, like this crunchy, tangy version. It’s just the thing to cool your mouth when you’ve been eating spicy tacos.

• 1 medium jícama (about 2 lb.)
• 4 medium carrots
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1  tsp. celery seed
• Sea salt
• Cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

With a chef's knife, cut the skin and roots off the jícama. Using a mandoline or the knife, cut the jícama into thin 1-inch-long matchsticks. Peel and grate the carrots. Core and thinly slice the pepper; cut the slices into 1-inch-long pieces. In a medium serving bowl, toss the jícama, pepper, and carrots with the olive oil, lime juice, celery seed, and salt to taste. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Before serving, retoss the slaw, as the dressing will have settled on the bottom of the bowl.