What is a Jackfruit? Friends don’t let friends eat this weird fruit alone. Why? Simply because it’s jaw-dropping humungous and is known as world’s largest tree fruit. I highly recommend not walking under the tree that grows this monster-sized, greenish-yellow, bumpy-skinned, as they can weight up to 80 pounds!
Jackfruit tree – photo from Wikipedia
How do you eat it? So, what can you do with a Jackfruit other that gawk at it or use it as an impromptu piece of workout equipment for a weight-loaded carry – haha! Well, you can eat it, make recipes with it and stockpile it in your freezer! The ripened fruit has been described to taste like a combination of mango-banana-melon. But, interestingly enough, the unripe fruit is very popular with vegans and vegetarians as a meat substitute in stir-frys, tacos, sandwiches, pasta sauces and more! Some say the taste and texture of Jackfruit is similar to pork, while others say it’s a chameleon that takes on whatever the predominant flavors of the recipe. The seeds have been likened to chestnuts.
Jackfruit Flesh – photo from Friedas.com
What are the Health Benefits? Jack fruit is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin b-6, potassium and even some protein (about 3 grams per sliced cup). About 1 cup of sliced fruit also has 157 calories and 1 gram of fat.
How to Select and Store: Choose Jackfruit with bright green or yellow color, depending on ripeness, and a fragrant scent. Leave on counter to ripen. It should yield slightly when pressed. Wrap cut fruit tightly in plastic and store flesh in container. Refrigerate up to 7 days and freeze for up to 2 months.
Recipe Ideas:
How to Cook Jackfruit Seeds from Friedas.com
Jackfruit Vegan Chili from CoachDebbieRuns.com (she’s the biggest Jackfruit fan I know, so many other Jackfruit recipes on her site).
Have you ever tried Jackfruit? What did you think? What did you make? If not, what’s the weirdest fruit you’ve eaten? Please share in the comments, XOXO – Jennifer
Love this post!! There is a jackfruit recipe in the Taco Cleanse cookbook that I have wanted to try, but I’ve been a little intimated by the sheer size of the fruit. I’ve seen it at HEB recently, and just might have to pick one up to try soon. Thanks for the tip on how to pick a good one- I wouldn’t have known what to look for.
I noticed at HEB sometimes they’ve been selling it sliced by the big hunk wrapped up on a stryofoam tray — like watermelon. My friend who shared the jackfruit chili says she buys canned jackfruit . .where she gets it, I DO NOT KNOW . .. she’s from California tho, that might explain 😉