Sounds like jicama to me. I have been searching for a paleo substitute for potatoes and tried parsnips, rutabagas and jicama. Parsnips were OK, as were rutabagas, but a bit strong tasting. I use sweet potatoes occaisionally. Jicama tastes great, but, as you discovered, never softens - it always stays crunchy. It does taste great, though, and can be diced into anything that need a crunch and a light sweetish fresh flavor. Cooking doesn't seem to change it at all, so I eat it raw. Now I will try celeriac, when I can find it. >../he thought it >might be jicama. I did end up buying one, boiling it and >eating it, but it didn't taste/look like it. It was a lot >more hard, and crunchy, and I did boil it for at least >an hour. Does anyone know what this veggie was, or if maybe >it was jicama, but I bought one that wasn't ripe or something? >Thanks, >--Liz >> >>jicama (hee-ca-ma) is another potato substitute, great in stews.