\nSome things are so big they boggle the imagination. People get disoriented when they enter huge structures like the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul or the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. I get the same feeling when I see a jackfruit tree.<\/p>\n
Jackfruits are just gigantic \u2014 the biggest ones can weigh up to 114 pounds<\/a>, although they average between 10 and 50 pounds.<\/strong> Standing under a jackfruit tree, I try not to imagine what it would be like to have one of them land on my noggin as a final parting gift. Instead, my mouth waters with the temptation of their sweet flavor<\/a> and meat-like consistency.<\/p>\n Although jackfruit is still relatively uncommon outside of Asia, it\u2019s recently become a popular vegan meat substitute thanks to its stringy, meaty texture, which I\u2019m told is similar to pulled pork. (That\u2019s hearsay, your honor, because I\u2019ve never tried pulled pork.)<\/p>\n Because it\u2019s a whole plant food, jackfruit is a far healthier meat substitute than most processed plant-based meat analogues<\/strong>. And it\u2019s far more versatile, too, transforming into a variety of delicious dishes, from savory to sweet.<\/p>\n So in this article, we\u2019ll explore the culinary potential of jackfruit. We\u2019ll look at where to find it, how to prepare it, and how to use it in recipes.<\/p>\n As a tropical fruit, jackfruit<\/a> is most abundant in hot weather. In its original home, Southeast Asia, you can generally find it year-round \u2014 which is a good thing because it\u2019s a staple food in many countries, including India, Thailand, and Malaysia.<\/p>\n US-grown jackfruit comes from Florida and Hawaii, with peak harvest between May and November.<\/strong> And Australian jackfruit production hits its stride from January through September.<\/p>\n Look up! (Just kidding, unless you happen to be standing in the canopy of a jackfruit tree, in which case, put down your phone and watch out for falling fruit!)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re shopping for jackfruit, you may be able to find it as a whole fruit, sliced into sections, packed into cans, dried, frozen, or incorporated into other products.<\/p>\n While your average chain grocery store (outside of the tropics) may not yet sell fresh jackfruit, demand is rising<\/a>, and many stores are starting to stock it.<\/p>\n Specialty markets and natural food stores, such as Whole Foods and Sprouts, will be more likely to have whole fruit, or they may be able to order it for you.<\/strong> You\u2019re also likely to hit the jackfruit jackpot at your local Asian, Indian, or Caribbean food market if you\u2019re fortunate enough to have one nearby.<\/p>\n For fun, you can order fresh jackfruit online. One retailer offers<\/a> an entire box of jackfruit \u2014 containing exactly one jackfruit \u2014 for $99. (That doesn\u2019t include chiropractic care for your mail carrier.)<\/p>\n Most commonly, the fruit comes in a can (at least in the US) and is labeled \u201cyoung\u201d and \u201cgreen.\u201d The younger the jackfruit, the greener and less sweet it will be. Young and green also means raw or unripe, which is the way you want it if you\u2019re using it as a meat substitute.<\/p>\n Canned jackfruit is usually packed with brine, syrup, or water. The brine-packed can will be high in sodium, while the syrupy can will be high in sugar. You can rinse the fruits to remove some of the flavoring, or just look for jackfruit packed in water.<\/p>\n So which is better, whole or canned?<\/p>\n Team Whole points out that fresh whole jackfruits are generally on the sweeter side and have much more flavor than canned<\/strong>, which are typically pretty bland.<\/p>\n Team Canned retorts that canned jackfruit is a lot more convenient and easier to manage; and because it\u2019s less flavorful, it\u2019s more versatile and can take on the flavor of whatever you cook it in.<\/strong><\/p>\n An additional point in favor of canned: The skin of the whole jackfruit is tough to cut through and releases a strong latex when pierced. Don\u2019t use your best chef\u2019s knife to slice one open \u2014 a machete is probably a smarter choice.<\/p>\n Jackfruit is also becoming more available through packaged products. A company called Upton\u2019s Naturals<\/a> distributes its packaged foods widely (including online from Thrive Market<\/a>). They make packaged jackfruit in a variety of flavors, such as BBQ and chili lime.<\/p>\n Other options come from The Jackfruit Company<\/a>,\u00a0 whose mission is to transform world health, farmer\u2019s livelihoods, and humanity\u2019s eco-footprint for the better. They make an array of jackfruit products with flavors like Tex-Mex, lightly seasoned, and BBQ, plus a \u201cnaked jackfruit\u201d product that\u2019s designed for food service.<\/p>\n You may also be able to find dried jackfruit, jackfruit chips, jackfruit \u201cchicken\u201d substitutes, and other products. These products are often more than just minimally processed foods, so make sure to read the ingredients.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re selecting a fresh jackfruit, remember that it\u2019s green when unripe and turns light brown to yellow as it ripens<\/a>. Another way to pick a ripe one is to tap it with your knuckle and listen for a dull, hollow sound. Also, the spikes on the surface soften with ripening, so if your knuckles aren\u2019t bleeding after tapping it, that\u2019s a good sign.<\/p>\n A further clue to picking a good jackfruit: The fruit gives off a strong fragrance when ripe.<\/strong> Some people don\u2019t find it very appetizing and describe<\/a> it as \u201cbanana bubble gum mixed with rotten onions.\u201d I personally love the smell, so maybe it\u2019s a combination of exposure and genetics.<\/p>\n The idea of cutting into such a massive, thick-skinned orb can be intimidating. So, here\u2019s a quick step-by-step video to help you cut and prepare jackfruit.<\/p>\n\n When Is Jackfruit in Season?<\/h2>\n
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Where to Find Jackfruit<\/h2>\n
Canned Jackfruit<\/h3>\n
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Other Jackfruit Products<\/h3>\n
How to Cut and Prepare Jackfruit<\/h2>\n
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