Fresh Fruit And Tortilla Slaw With Chayote And Jicama Food

CHAYOTE-JICAMA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk the lime juice, vegetable oil, jalapeno and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Peel and slice the chayotes into thin wedges. Peel the jicama; thinly slice lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise into strips. Thinly slice the carrots. Toss the vegetables with the dressing and season with salt. Cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Photograph by Anna Williams

CHAYOTE SQUASH AND JICAMA SLAW

Steps:

• Toss all the ingredients with the Orange Cilantro Dressing and serve.
• Juice the oranges through a strainer. Place about 1/2 cup of orange juice in a blender; add the ginger and shallot. Puree. After ginger and shallot are blended add the rest of the orange juice and blend again. Add the balsamic vinegar and rice wine vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Finish with cilantro just before you are ready to serve.

CHAYOTE SLAW

Steps:

• Char chili and bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in plastic bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed and cut chili and peppers into matchstick-size strips.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chayote and sauté; just until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Cool completely. Combine Sherry wine vinegar and 2 teaspoons Latin Spice Mix in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil. Mix in fresh cilantro. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Combine chayote, chili and peppers in bowl. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate.)
• *A fresh green chili, often called a pasilla, available at Latin American markets and some supermarkets.
• **A squash-like, pear-shaped fruit similar in flavor to cucumber and often prepared like squash; available at Latin American markets and some supermarkets.

JICAMA CHAYOTE SLAW

Steps:

• Combine the cabbage, chayote, jicama, onions, peppers, vinegar and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.

JíCAMA SLAW WITH LIME-ANCHO DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing:
• Whisk together the lime juice, vinegar, ancho powder, and honey in a bowl. Whisk in the oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. (The dressing can be made a day in advance, covered, and kept refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Make the slaw:
• Combine the jicama, cabbage, and carrots in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the jicama mixture and toss to coat well. Mix in the cilantro. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

JICAMA SALAD WITH LIME VINAIGRETTE AND MINT CREAM

Steps:

• Using a knife or peeler, peel jicama. Cut off rounded edges to shape jicama into a solid square or rectangle. Slice 1/4 inch thick, then cut slices into 2-inch squares. Set aside in a bowl.
• Peel oranges with a knife and cut into segments, removing as much white pith as possible. Add to jicama (reserving a few segments for garnish) and refrigerate. This can be done up to 4 hours ahead.
• Make the mint cream: In a blender, combine pepitas, mint, oil, honey and lime juice. Blend at high speed until smooth. While blending, slowly add 1/2 cup cold water and blend until emulsified. Blend in sour cream and salt. Strain to remove any solids.
• When ready to serve, add pepitas, sunflower seeds and mint leaves to bowl (reserving a few leaves for garnish) with jicama and oranges. Whisk together lime juice, oil, salt and honey, then pour over salad and toss gently. Taste for salt and other seasonings, adding more as needed.
• Spoon 2 or 3 tablespoons of mint cream on each plate or bowl and swirl to cover bottom. Gently spoon salad mixture on top. Garnish with reserved orange segments and mint leaves, plus watermelon or pomegranate seeds and molasses, if using. Serve immediately.

CHAYOTE SLAW WITH AVOCADO AND CILANTRO DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together the chayote, cabbage, carrots, jicama, scallions, cumin, coriander and 2 teaspoons salt. Let the flavors combine while you make the dressing for the slaw.
• To a food processor, add the crema, orange juice, cilantro, lime juice, agave, hot sauce, garlic, avocado and jalapeno. Process until completely smooth; season with salt. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve; the dressing can be made 1 day in advance.
• When ready to serve, toss the dressing with the vegetables. Garnish with the reserved scallions and serve immediately.