Exploring the Versatile Jackfruit: A Culinary Delight for Vegans and Beyond

Jackfruit, often hailed as a superfruit, is a versatile, abundant, and delicious ingredient that is becoming increasingly popular, especially among vegans and vegetarians. Whether enjoyed fresh, cooked, or canned, jackfruit offers a unique taste that appeals to a wide range of palettes. This article delves into the various ways jackfruit can be used in cooking, its nutritional benefits, and the reasons behind its growing popularity.

Jackfruit: A Heavenly Fruit

The jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to parts of South and Southeast Asia. Known for its versatility, its flesh can be eaten fresh or cooked, offering a taste that many describe as a delicious cross between a mango and an orange, but with the convenience of being less messy. Its seeds are also edible, and when boiled, taste similar to chestnuts. When cooked, the flesh makes a succulent and wonderful main ingredient for curries, ranking it among the best curry ingredients.

Unique Cooking Experiences

This article explores the unique cooking experiences of jackfruit. As a vegan, the author has had jackfruit twice, once in a vegan fake shredded beef pulled pork barbecued sandwich and another time when they baked it as a barbecue spare ribs substitution. While the texture was appreciated in the first experience, the second one lacked the distinct flavor due to the canning process. Nonetheless, the author believes it would be wonderful for any shredded beef substitution, such as vegan shredded beef tacos.

Regional Delights and Tips for Preparation

The author shares their love for jackfruit, especially in their hometown of Kerala, India, where it is very common. There, they enjoy eating the ripe fruit as is, make chips akin to banana chips, and use the unripe fruit for a dry curry. Additionally, the author mentions smoking jackfruit when younger and less ripe, giving it a hickory smoke that enhances its pork-like flavor.

Substituting in Meat-Based Dishes

For those transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle, jackfruit serves as an excellent meat substitute, particularly in dishes like Jamaican vegetarian jerk seasoned non-pork. For vegans and vegetarians, young jackfruit provides an excellent textural substitute for meat, resembling chunks of pulled pork. Mature fruits offer a banana and pineapple flavor with a hint of mango.

Seasoning and Preparation Tips

Jackfruit can be prepared in several ways to enhance its flavor and texture. The author suggests trying tangine seasoning salt, which works well on jackfruit, especially for those in the Hispanic community who use it on mangos. Preparing jackfruit involves carefully cutting around the center lengthwise to remove the white pithy part and then turning it inside out to access the seeds and the surrounding flesh. The seeds can be roasted on a charcoal grill or baked in the oven at 400F until the seed pods burst open. The fruity insides of the seed are deliciously edible.

Frosting and Storing

For a convenient summer treat, the author recommends freezing jackfruit in cubes. Additionally, jackfruit retains its flavor well when frozen, making it a great option for seasonal dishes.

Conclusion: Jackfruit is a wonderful ingredient to explore in the kitchen, offering a unique flavor and versatile cooking methods. Whether enjoying it fresh, cooked, or canned, this superfruit is a delight for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone seeking healthy, delicious alternatives to meat.