Recipes - 5 Delicious Dishes That Showcase The Versatility Of Jackfruit

Jackfruit, often referred to as the "vegetable meat," is a tropical fruit celebrated for its versatility and unique flavor profile. While it's commonly enjoyed ripe and sweet, it also shines as a savory ingredient in various culinary creations. In this article, we'll explore five mouthwatering dishes that highlight the diverse ways jackfruit can be used in cooking, from hearty mains to delightful desserts.

# Jackfruit Pulled "Pork" Sandwiches:

Ingredients

2 cans of young green jackfruit in brine or water
1 cup of barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Hamburger buns
Coleslaw (optional)

Method

- Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit, then shred it with a fork to mimic pulled pork texture.

- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until translucent.

- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

- Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet along with the smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

- Pour in the barbecue sauce and stir until the jackfruit is evenly coated. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the jackfruit is tender and heated through.

- Toast the hamburger buns, then spoon the barbecue jackfruit mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.

- Top with coleslaw if desired, then cover with the top half of the bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!

# Jackfruit Curry

Ingredients

2 cups of ripe jackfruit, cut into chunks
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1 can of coconut milk
2 tablespoons of curry powder
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooked rice or naan for serving

Method

- In a large skillet or pot, heat some oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent.

- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.

- Stir in the curry powder and turmeric powder, then add the chopped jackfruit chunks to the skillet.

- Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is tender.

- Season the curry with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with fresh cilantro.

- Serve the jackfruit curry hot over cooked rice or with naan bread on the side. Enjoy the aromatic flavors of this delicious dish!

# Jackfruit Tacos

Ingredients

2 cans of young green jackfruit in brine or water
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons of taco seasoning
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Corn or flour tortillas
Fresh salsa, avocado slices, and lime crema for topping

Method

- Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit, then shred it with a fork.

- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and bell pepper until softened.

- Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet along with the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is heated through and coated with seasoning.

- Warm the tortillas in a separate skillet or microwave.

- To assemble the tacos, spoon the jackfruit mixture onto each tortilla, then top with fresh salsa, avocado slices, and a drizzle of lime crema.

- Serve the jackfruit tacos immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors in every bite!

# Jackfruit "Crab" Cakes:

Ingredients

2 cans of young green jackfruit in brine or water
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
1/4 cup of diced bell pepper
1/4 cup of diced onion
1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for frying
Lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce for serving

Method

- Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit, then shred it with a fork.

- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded jackfruit with the breadcrumbs, diced bell pepper, diced onion, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, vegan mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

- Form the jackfruit mixture into patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

- Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the jackfruit patties to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

- Transfer the cooked jackfruit "crab" cakes to a serving platter and garnish with lemon wedges.

- Serve the "crab" cakes hot with your favorite dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy the delicious taste and texture reminiscent of traditional crab cakes!

# Jackfruit Ice Cream

Ingredients

2 cups of ripe jackfruit pulp
1 can of coconut milk
1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Method

- In a blender, combine the ripe jackfruit pulp, coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.

- Blend until smooth and creamy, then taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.

- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until thick and creamy.

- Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.

- Once frozen, scoop the jackfruit ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy the tropical flavors of this refreshing treat!