Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is popular in Southeast Asia. The fruit is often used as a meat substitute because of its high protein content. Jackfruit is also a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of jackfruit and how it can be used as a meat substitute. We will also provide some recipes for you to try at home. So if you are looking for a nutritious and delicious meat alternative, look no further than jackfruit!
What is Jackfruit?
This species of fruit is native to parts from South Asia all the way to Southeast Asia. Jackfruit bumps are typically round or oval in appearance, sometimes exceeding 100 pounds in weight. The flesh of the fruit is of yellow or orange colour, and filled with seeds. The taste of this popular tropical fruit is said to be similar to a blend of pineapple, mango and bananas.
The jackfruit tree is a rapid-growing evergreen plant with branches and a height of 30 feet. These trees usually live within the rain forests, and can live up to 100 years. The leaves of the tree is big, and the flowers white or yellow.
Jackfruit is widely consumed in many parts of Asia as a food delicacy. It is often consumed as a meat substitute given to its high protein content. The fruit is both eaten fresh, or in canned form or dried form.
Nutritional Value of Jackfruit
One fruit of that plant, jackfruit, is a nutritional powerhouse, being a good source of vitamins C and B6, in addition to the minerals potassium and magnesium. Its seeds, preserved in brine, contain traces of iron and calcium, while its white flesh adds tiny traces of potassium, phosphorus and zinc into the total.
Although jackfruit doesn’t have much protein, like most fruit it still has some dietary fibre. There’s about 7 g of fibre per cup – one-third of your daily recommended intake.
Health Benefits of Jackfruit
The jackfruit, a large fruit native to South Asia, is considered the world’s largest tree-borne fruit. When it is fully ripened, the fruit can weigh as much as 80 pounds. The yellow or white, woolly flesh of the jackfruit — which can grow between 20 and 36 inches — is utilized as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals and appears to have a sweet custard taste, which is why it is sometimes used in desserts.
Per 100g serving, jackfruit provides 36 calories and is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and dietary fibre. Furthermore, jackfruit has phytonutrients that exhibit anti-cancer activities. Its consumption has been shown to benefit cardiovascular health (lower cholesterol), improve digestion (because of the prebiotic compounds that support growth of healthy gut bacteria) and provide energy (from its fructose content).
How to Prepare and Cook Jackfruit
To prep and cook jackfruit: 1. Remove the inedible core by slicing it away from the rest of the fruit. This innermost core will be a brownish-white color—think of the unsightly bit that hangs from the top of a pineapple at the grocery store and that you can’t buy raw. It feels sponge-like and glistening, with a goopy texture, and it emanates an intense acrid tang like a ‘vegetable pine gland’ gone bad, and is especially noticeable as the fruit ages. Its sole purpose: to keep the scent and perishable contents of the jackfruit on the outside of the hard, protective skin so that the whole fruit can travel long distances to be sold, and to allow for easy separation into its five units of ripeness once ready to eat. Frustratingly, the blasted core will likely seen nasty and gross, so you’ll likely want to compost it or just toss it entirely, though I’ve often found that washing my hands thoroughly afterward cleans away any stench or sticking. When you’re ready to wash the rest of the fruit, cut into the jackfruit as many chunks as you know you can handle without getting grossed out and rinse well in a colander under running water.
Cooked jackfruit.Jackfruit can be prepared in several different ways. It is usually simmered in a lightly salted water for 20-30 minutes until soft. Once cooked, jackfruit can be used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes like curries, stews and stir-fries, or eaten on its own as a side dish or added to salad.
You won’t get any flavour from the jackfruit itself, so you should normally cook it together with other flavourful foods. Jackfruit tends to go well with curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and even garlic and ginger. It can also be paired with onion, tomato, and coconut milk.
Recipes Using Jackfruit
With jackfruit cooking, the sky’s the limit. With the right spices, it can be a meat substitute in almost every kind of dish from tacos and stir-fries to stews and curries, even in soups, in salads, and in desserts.
Here are some of our favorite jackfruit recipes:
Tacos with Jackfruit: A Fast Weeknight Meal - and Delicious, too!
– Jackfruit Stir-Fry: veggie-packed lentil-jackfruit stir-fry – hearty comfort food!
-Jackfruit Curry: This curry is bursting with flavour and jackfruit provides the same meaty texture as meat-based alternatives. Serve it with rice or quinoa for a filling meal.
-Jackfruit Soup For cold winter nights, this is the ultimate in hearty but not-heavy sustenance: thick and filling, yet still lightyour appetite.
- Jackfruit Salad: Here’s another way to make use of leftover jackfruit. This salad is fresh and flavourful, and makes a great side dish or simple lunch.
Nonetheless, like any food, jackfruit can have its own side effects – gastrointestinal issues, rashes, and even headaches.
However, like any food, jackfruit consumption can lead to side effects (gastrointestinal, allergic, and headaches to name just a few).
Gastrointestinal discomfort is the most common Jackfruit side effects. This include diarrhoea, constipation and even stomach cramps. Allergic reactions induced by Jackfruit is another common side effects and it can vary from mild to be severe occurrence. These signs and symptoms includes itch, swelling, difficulty in breath and death (anaphylaxis). Headaches can also be a Jackfruit side effects. If you experience a headache each time you eat this food then you may observe enough fluid and take rest. However, if your headache persist or accompanied with other symptoms then contact your doctor.
Of course, it is recommended to consult a medical professional before adding jackfruit to your diet, as one could be allergic.
If you are someone thinking about including jackfruit in your diet, my advice would be to consult health care professional first as some people are allergic to jackfruit. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, swelling, rash, and difficulty in breathing. If one notices any of these reactions after consuming jackfruit, one should immediately seek medical attention.
Conclusion
Did you see how versatile the jackfruit is? You can make curries with the fruit, burgers with the seeds, and smoothies with the fresh fruit! Add another fruit to your diet today. Here’s how to use the jackfruit differently:
1. As a Meat Substitute. Not sure about replacing all your meat with vegetables like Mathieu? Start simple by substituting one. Introduce one meal a week where you substitute the meat for tofu, chickpeas, or yes, fruit like jackfruit.
2. In a Smoothie. Feeling adventurous? Blend up a fresh smoothie with some ice, a handful of leaves, and some jackfruit.
3. In a Curry. Now that you’re adventurous, why not try a curry? Boil some diced jackfruit with some coconut milk for half an hour and you’re on your way to a fantastic curry.
So, what are you waiting for? Be an adventurous and healthy person; give the jackfruit a shot the next time you’re at a grocery store. Then, report back to see what we think. Thanks for reading.
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