Have you tried jackfruit? If not, have you even heard of it?

Jackfruit is a giant fruit that vegans and vegetarians often use as a meat substitute due to its texture, which is comparable to shredded meat.

What is jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that grows in South and Southeast Asia. Fresh raw jackfruit has spiky green skin and sweet flesh with a flavour akin to mango. While ripe jackfruit tastes super sweet, the young jackfruit that comes in cans or a vac pack is nearly flavorless. This makes it a great blank canvas for seasoning and adding to savory dishes. What’s more, when you pull apart the unripe fruit, it takes on a stringy texture similar to shredded meat.

How to prepare jackfruit?

In Bermuda, cutting up a fresh jackfruit is a problem you’re unlikely to encounter as you will only find the unripe stuff already in chunks, in a vac pack by Upton’s Naturals in The MarketPlace stores. All you need to do is, drain it, rinse it (if necessary) and follow your recipe.

Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit is available in four flavours:

• Original: https://www.marketplace.bm/shop/produce/upton_s_jackfruit_original/p/6776493
• Chili Lime: https://www.marketplace.bm/shop/produce/upton_s_jackfruit_chile_lime/p/5322730
• Thai Curry: https://www.marketplace.bm/shop/produce/uptons_naturals_jackfruit_curry_thai/p/1564405684690346574
• Bar-B-Que: https://www.marketplace.bm/shop/produce/uptons_naturals_jackfruit_bar_b_que/p/5322731

Jackfruit Nutrition

Jackfruit is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B6 and fiber. One thing to keep in mind is that although jackfruit has a similar texture to meat, as far as protein is concerned.  Tinned jackfruit has around 1g of protein per 100g. If you’re trying to create a nutritionally balanced plate of food, make sure you’re including some extra protein with your jackfruit meal.