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Last Updated on April 19, 2019
If you’re looking for a substitute to a traditional hog roast, jackfruit might be the perfect meatless alternative. Jackfruits are the largest tree-borne fruits in the world, weighing up to 100 pounds. The average fruit is upwards of 25 pounds! Find out why they are the perfect vegan alternative.
Jackfruit trees originated in southwest India and spread to south and southeast Asia. They can grow in most tropical and near-tropical areas. Jackfruit is a traditional food in Southeast Asian cuisine, and it is extremely versatile.
Jackfruit is full of fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients. It has vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and protein. Jackfruit can be eaten ripe or unripe, raw or cooked. Depending on its preparation, its flavour varies drastically. Raw ripe jackfruit is sweet and fruity, while unripe raw jackfruit is neutral and starchy. Cooked jackfruit has a meat-like texture that makes it ideal as a meat substitute.
Preparing Jackfruit
TAKEAWAY: To use jackfruit as a meat substitute, you will want to select an unripe fruit. The skin should be green, and it will be thick and firm. Jackfruit contains a sticky, latex sap, so you should wear gloves and prepare your work surface by laying down newspaper or coating it with oil.
Cut the jackfruit in half—this is a hard task, but keep at it! Slice the jackfruit in half again and cut it into fist-sized chunks.
Note: If you are allergic to latex, you should not try to prepare jackfruit.
Cooking jackfruit
Boil the jackfruit chunks – skin and all – for about 45 minutes or until the flesh is soft and stringy. Peel off the skin and remove the seeds. Then shred the rest of the flesh. You can use the shredded jackfruit in any number of recipes, and you can cook up large batches at a time. Try one of these recipes today and add a whole new source of protein to your repertoire!
BBQ Jackfruit
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Mix the jackfruit with pre-prepared bbq sauce. Serve on buns with coleslaw. Alternatively, whip up some cornbread, baked beans, and corn to make it an American feast.
Jackfruit Curry
In a sauce pot, combine vegetable stock, diced tomatoes, curry powder, ginger, onion, and garlic to create a delicious curry. Add the shredded jackfruit along with cauliflower and lentils. Serve with rice.
Jackfruit Tacos
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Mix the jackfruit with chopped red onions, minced garlic, and orange or lime juice. Serve with cabbage, cilantro and avocado in corn or flour tortillas. And enjoy the most amazing vegan tacos!
