Jamaica & Jicama

When I moved to San Diego back in December 2001,  there was a local taco shop called "El Cotixan" just off Clairemont Mesa Blvd. They had the very best breakfast burritos I had ever eaten. Every morning when I would get off work from a long 12 hour night, I would go there and get my burrito and my large Jamaica.

Jamaica, pronounced HA-MIKE-UH, is a hibiscus flower rich in vitamin C, and has been used as an herbal remedy for controlling high blood pressure, digestive problems, and  improving circulatory disorders.

This is just as easy as to make as ice tea. You could easily make this at your next get together.

2-3 cups hibiscus flowers (I used 2)
4 cups water
1/2-2 cups sugar  (I used 1/2, but I don't like it super sweet)
4 more cups water (at the end like ice tea)

I rinsed the flowers, then put them in a pot of water and sugar. Brought them to a boil and then dropped the heat down  for about 20 minutes or so to simmer. You will notice from the pictures that the water turns a beautiful reddish color. I strained the flowers out and added the other 4 cups of water.

**  Jicama, a crunchy root with a bit of sweetness. Prounced HICK-A-MA  **

Phoenix Walmart introduced me to this. I seen a turnip looking thing, grabbed it up and asked Efrain what it was. He told me his mother used it in her cooking all the time. That she would just chop it up for salads, salsas or just to eat as a refreshing snack. No cooking is required.

I cut the Jicama up into chunks, squirted with lime juice, and threw a little spice on it. I put the hibiscus around it because you can eat that too and because it looked pretty :)  ~Misty