If you’re looking for a food that’s nutritious, delicious, versatile, filling and fun, get to know jack – about jackfruit!
Thought to have originated in India, jackfruit has become a staple in regions with tropical or near-tropical conditions. News Flash! Jackfruit is appearing on the menu more and more in America as well!
Fun Facts: Jackfruit actually grow up to 100 pounds, and the tree is prolific, producing up to 200 fruits each year. That’s a lotta jack(fruit).
Why is jackfruit so special?
Jackfruit tacos are becoming quite popular at restaurants around town. Yummy!
One reason is its versatility. Jackfruit is consumed in both its ripe and unripe form. Ripe jackfruit can have notes of apple, banana, mango and pineapple (and you thought only wine and coffee had notes).
When unripe, jackfruit has a neutral flavor – but with the right sauces and seasonings, it can mimic a variety of meats – the perfect food for vegetarians, vegans and dieters!
Bottom line: If you’re looking to cut down on those burger binges, and kick up your nutrition level to a whole ‘notha level, give this franken-fruit a try!
Jackfruits Gonna Keep Me Rollin’!
Such a beautiful fruit!
Serving Size: Two cups
Calories per serving: 310
Fiber: 6 grams
Protein: 5.6 grams
Vitamin A: 20% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)
Vitamin C: 36% of RDI
Riboflavin: 22% of RDI
Magnesium: 30% of RDI
Potassium: 28% of RDI
Copper: 30% of RDI
Manganese: 32% of RDI
Fun Fact: Jackfruit seeds are especially nutritious and delicious, high in protein, potassium, calcium and iron, and can be eaten raw or cooked!
And now for the recipes…
OK, let’s get down to the eating of jackfruit, shall we? These cool recipes will help you enjoy the jackfruit you just purchased (rather than leaving it to rot in some corner of your kitchen). Here we go!
Vegan Street Tacos | Kat Elise
Jackfruit is a winner as a meat substitute in tacos. Let’s join video blogger and vegan expert, Kat Elise, for an easy-to-make jackfruit taco demo.
Vegan Pulled Pork | Vegan Richa
For the pulled pork fans out there, this sandwich recipe from Vegan Richa tastes so much like meat, you’ll be questioning the sanity of your taste buds.
No-Meat Chicken Tikka Masala | Chef Buck
This fun video shows how you can make restaurant-style chicken masala without the chicken – Jack-a-licious!
Filipino Bilo Bilo | Good Times With Jen
“What about dessert,” you ask. Try this authentic recipe from the Philippines that’ll make your mouth water.
A bonus for the environment…
We forgot to mention a great benefit to eating jackfruit in lieu of meat from cows, pigs and chickens. Whereas three acres of land, on average, are needed to feed an omnivore for one year, a vegetarian requires half an acre, a vegan just a sixth of an acre. Animal meat also has a larger carbon footprint than something like jackfruit. So compared with real meat, jackfruit can help us all breathe a little easier.
Now that you know about Jack you should buy Jack, try Jack and tell your friends about Jack. Find it fresh or canned at your gourmet grocery, international grocery – and more!
Happy Jackfruiting!