Description

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit, botanically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus. Jackfruit is a member of the mulberry family, and is the largest tree fruit in the world. Jackfruit is known for its dinosaur-egg look and its slightly odd smell when fully ripe. The spiky, tropical fruit is considered a powerhouse of nutrition and is loaded with lots of healthy antioxidants. Jackfruit has even been touted as a potential replacement staple crop for wheat and corn in areas threatened by climate change and increasing populations.

Jackfruit is very nutrient-dense. It is a great source of fiber, protein and vitamin B. It also contains potassium, iron and calcium. The deep yellow-orange color of the Jackfruit bulbs is the result of phytonutrients like beta-carotene, giving the fruit powerful antioxidant properties.

The Jackfruit bulbs can be eaten fresh, frozen, cooked or pureed. Younger Jackfruit is added to curries and can be roasted or baked and eaten as a vegetable. It is often shredded and used as a meat substitute. Riper Jackfruit bulbs are added to salads. Make jam or ice cream from pureed bulbs. Boiling Jackfruit bulbs in milk and then straining off the liquid will result in a custard-like consistency once it has cooled. Jackfruit can be dried and then fried in oil, salted and eaten like potato chips. Jackfruit seeds can be roasted and eaten like chestnuts or dried and ground into flour. Jackfruit does not keep well once it is ripe. Unused portions of prepared fruit can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen for a few weeks.