Jicama Home Fries are the perfect no potato option when you are looking for a nightshade-free breakfast. Once you sauté them long enough, they begin to take on the texture and taste of potatoes, and is a new way to introduce this water-based root vegetable to your kids and family.
Maybe it’s because it’s Candida month here on Fork & Beans or maybe it’s the denial of certain foods has got me thinking but regardless, I’ve been very reflective about what sort of invitation this Candida diagnosis has been on my life. Let me explain because I am sure that this sounds like an odd statement to make. It’s not about the food. It never usually is. Me crying at the fact that I cannot go out for Mexican food and enjoy a freaking basket of chips and salsa at this time isn’t about that. Once you dig a little deeper you find that there is always something else there. At first thought, the sound of going several months without sugar and alcohol and all the favorite goodies sounds frightening. “I just need to make it through this and then it will be all over.” If I deny myself the foods that got me into this hot mess for a little while I can recover and heal my gut and that will be that. Or so was my thinking a few months ago…
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The thing is I’ve realized that a certain time frame of eating an exact way isn’t difficult for me. Wait one second there. I have to reread that. Those are words I NEVER thought would come out of my mouth. Truth is, this year’s quest for health has proven to me that I can abstain from certain foods for as long as it takes. I can do that. YOU can do that. That, ironically, is the easy part. Tell me I need to eat rice and veggies only for the next month and I now know that I can. Now I don’t want to ever do that but I know I can. That isn’t the issue anymore. I used to think it was, but it’s not. So what is it, Cara? Quit your babbling and get to the point. The real issue at hand for me is the fact that my bad habits got me here and now I have to go through the very painful and uncomfortable time of undoing those bad habits and correcting them. Do you see the difference? At first look, they seem the same but when you dissect them, they are so different. Denial and Dealing are two different things. When I deny myself from something, I feel negatively when I want what I cannot have. I feel even worse when I actually indulge in said denied item. There is a lot of guilt, shaming, and a burden is now placed on myself. However when I deal with my situation it frees me from the negativity. It frees me from the negative feelings that keep me stuck. I might make a “mistake” but I no longer feel shame for it. There is no timeline anymore. There is no good or bad. There is no desperation. It’s just me, my bad habits, my uncomfortable feelings in dealing with them, and watching them change over time.
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PinIngredients
- 1 c. peeled jicama. diced into small cubes (approx. 1/2 jicama)
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, minced
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Place diced jicama and 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a heated non-stick skillet. Allow to saute for 1-2 minutes. Place 1 Tbsp. water and cover with a lid and allow to soften for 5-7 minutes over medium heat.
- Remove lid and add a little more oil. Place onions and bell peppers into skillet and saute for 5 minutes or until the jicama begins to lightly brown.
- Add seasonings and saute until browned to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 c.
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 11.4g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 1.5g
(Check out this video on how to make Jicama Home Fries. It’s VERY amateur so forgive me but it’s a start. Sometimes it’s more about taking that first step and just doing it, right?)
My invitation from Candida is for a season of self-excavation; to gently revisit old wounds that need a little more cleaning and patching and moving on (remember when I said that it’s never about the food?) There is no longer judgment in myself, anger over the fact that others can eat the things I cannot, or even anger at myself when I just can’t “get it together.” What’s left is gentleness, kindness, and compassion on myself. I learn to love me more because I’m flawed, weak, and at times cranky. I’m also learning to love Jicama Home Fries…
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I needed Candida at this time to remind me that it’s okay to go easy on myself and for that, I am so grateful that I cannot snack on tortilla chips at the moment…
Caitlin
January 26, 2019 at 10:29 amI can eat anything except high carb, so I was thrilled to try this recipe. I used a little less sweet peppers and onions and added some jalapeno. I fried it in bacon grease. I will be making this again,, and again,,,, and again. Thank you.
Kelley Vanda
September 13, 2017 at 6:43 amIt’s, ah, a bit misleading to talk about nightshade free breakfasts and then include paprika and bell pepper?
Looks good, but definitely won’t work for people who can’t eat nightshades!
Cara
September 13, 2017 at 1:17 pmI’m kinda laughing now because you are SO right. I cannot even believe that I let that slip! Thank you for your gracious comment <3
Lana
July 29, 2017 at 1:40 pmThis was the first time using jicama it was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly except for a little more water and used just one color of pepper. The spices were perfect, my picky husband even liked it.
Cara
August 2, 2017 at 9:15 amOh yay, I love hearing this! I really like this recipe so much and happy you and the fam did too <3
Penny T.
February 2, 2015 at 4:35 pmI am so thankful that I found your website and wonderful recipes. I made the above recipe tonight and it absolutely hit the spot. I managed to keep the jicama just a tiny bit crunchy which was perfect. Spices were amazing with it and it really did seem “potatoes” like. I am excited to try some of your other recipes. I started my anti-candida diet on January 19th. It has been very rough… especially not being able to eat out at all. Thanks, again, for the wonderful recipe!
★★★★★
Cara
February 3, 2015 at 4:46 pmOh man, booooo to the candida diagnosis but yay to this new journey! It’s going to a great one, Penny, I promise. Just be open to it and you never know what new recipes you will find with jicama 😉 Glad you liked it and if you need anything, let me know, xo
C. Fruity
January 16, 2015 at 2:44 pmcute video 🙂 What is jicama and when it is it season? Can I get it at a regular supermarket in the New England area? I’ve never seen it. Thanks!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
January 9, 2015 at 7:45 amYou are doing so well! I’ve done a Candida cleanse and it SUCKS and although in a sense it is a for-life lifestyle, the strictness is temporary and you will get through it and return to semi normal habits soon!
How creative to use jicama instead of potatoes. I can eat potatoes potatoes but I really want to try this!
Ashlee
January 8, 2015 at 11:40 amI’ve never heard of jicama, but now I totally want to try it!
Bianca
January 8, 2015 at 11:26 amI never really know what to do with jicama, except eat it raw. So thanks for the inspiration!! And also great to hear that you’re adjusting to the new diet and embracing what you gotta do!
Caitlin
January 8, 2015 at 8:34 amthese look delicious, cara! i totally want to try this recipe out, especially since i’ve never had jicama before. i love how much you are embracing this diet and incorporating it into fork and beans.
Meg @ BeardandBonnet
January 8, 2015 at 7:09 amGIRL!! I am so proud of you! I am proud of your attitude towards this season in your life, I am proud of you for taking care of YOU, and I am so stoked to see that video up there. I love you and cannot wait to see where this new path takes you!
Cara
January 8, 2015 at 7:25 amThank you friend!!! It will be interesting to see what happens and I just so appreciate all your support. Love you 🙂
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats
January 8, 2015 at 6:40 amGood for you Cara! Self reflection is always a tough one… and writing it and sharing with the world is even tougher. I think many people go through a guilt, shame, self worthy type of thing when FORCED into a type of diet whether it’s due to an allergy or medical condition. Thank you for sharing your healing thoughts and AWESOME recipes!
Cara
January 8, 2015 at 7:24 amThank you Laura for taking the time to read this post and for the comment! I know you understand how crazy it can be when you (or your loved ones) cannot eat certain foods for whatever reason. Much love!
Kristen
January 8, 2015 at 6:27 amSounds like a great recipe! After two years of seemingly random, serious allergic reactions I was finally diagnosed with “Leaky Gut” (from stress, antibiotics, pain medicines, etc.) and after receiving results from an IgA and IgG food intolerance test, I discovered I couldn’t eat gluten, eggs, dairy, some meats, fish in addition to an allergy to sesame seeds and hazelnuts. It was really depressing at first. I’ve since discovered new recipes, restaurants, and a new appreciation for food! Your blogs was one of the first sources of delicious baked goods and just knowing that I can have a homemade treat when I need one is a lifesaver! I Hope you continue healing and using your diagnosis as a way of continuing to create such awesome recipes!
Cara
January 8, 2015 at 7:22 amHooray, love hearing that Kristen! Thank you so much for telling me that 🙂 It’s strange how even when you cannot eat certain foods that you can still be super creative in the kitchen isn’t it? Much love to you and healing on your journey, xo
Amanda
January 8, 2015 at 6:20 amokay, i need to cook jicama…i love it but i don’t seem to buy it regularly as it is not in my regular grocery store sadly…plus i usually just eat it raw! enough is enough, i avoid potatoes myself for sugar reasons too and i need this in my life!
cheers, candida sucks, luckily you rock!
Cara
January 8, 2015 at 7:21 amI can only find jicama at one grocery store around here–it’s hard to find it seems! But you really need to try it cooked, it’s so good Amanda! Thank you for the comment 🙂