Have you ever seen a jackfruit?
Looks aren't everything!
I had passed by them in the farmer’s market, not knowing what that prickly thing was. Never thought twice about it. Until I saw this recipe by Jessica @ Clean Green Simple: Carolina Pulled “Pork” BBQ Sandwich.
BBQ? Jackfruit? Curiosity killed the blogger.
Exhibit A: the funny-looking fruit in the back left corner of the $35 farmer’s market pic I posted Monday:
Jackfruit. Not just any jackfruit – that is just 1/4 of a jackfruit (they pre-slice them). They can grow to be 8o lbs and 3 ft long! My quartered piece was just 99 cents. So cheap – I would have been losing money if I didn’t buy it!
The Low-Down
It was delicious raw – a little chewy, tropically-sweet, reminiscent of a mango in flavor. It’s also in season right now!
Jackfruit is also super-nutritious:
- Energy replenish-er and revitalizes the body instantly (I can vouch for this – I perked up and went to the gym after dinner!)
- Good source of Vitamin-A, B, C cancer-preventing antioxidant flavonoids (like β-carotene and lutein)
- Mineral-rich (potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron)
- Full of fiber
- Improves iron absorption
- Normalizes blood sugar levels and supports healthy thyroid gland
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Using about 1.5 C of fresh jackfruit (you can also find it canned), I followed Jessica’s dry rub recipe (red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder) except I subbed shallot for the regular onion and I omitted the salt and onion powder (the spices were more than enough flavor!).
Tossed in the dry rub
The wet sauce I ad-libbed a bit based on what I had on-hand.
Coated in wet sauce and ready to bake
So. Good. It took a long time to make since I had to peel/seed the jackfruit and I got the spice rub in my eye, but it was TOTALLY worth it.
Doesn't it look like the taco is levitating?!
I had also just seen Evan @ The Wannabe Chef post a socca taco shell, so I decided to turn Jessica’s sandwich into a taco! These were super easy to make and I liked them much better than “regular” hard taco shells.
Coolest thing I've ever made
Served with a salad of roasted tomatillo, cilantro, watercress, and lime juice.
Oh, and did I mention you can eat jackfruit seeds? Yup. I can’t find the stats, but they are rumored to be a good source of protein. I toasted those up in a skillet and tossed them on my salad too!
My BBQ-Taco ended up being vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Combine that with a 99 cent jackfruit, it felt $$$ free.
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Favorite dish so far this year
Jackfruit BBQ Taco
- 1.5 C jackfruit (~1/2 of a jackfruit)
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Socca, bread, or taco shell… whatever you want to put it in
For the dry rub:
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- pinch garlic powder
For the wet sauce:
- 4 T fire-roasted tomato chunks
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp canola oil
- 1 tsp blackstrap molasses
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 C water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Sauté shallot with a splash of oil over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic and sauté ~1-2 mins longer, until fragrant.
Mix together dry rub spices and toss with jackfruit pieces until coated. Add to a medium-sized pan and cook over medium-high heat for ~5 mins to toast spices.
Stir together wet sauce ingredients and add to pan, along with shallot and garlic. Simmer jackfruit in sauce for 20-30 mins until softened.
Using a fork, shred the jackfruit pieces into small stringy bits. Spread mixture evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 mins until slightly dried out and toughened.
Scoop in to taco shells (or bread) and garnish with lime and cilantro. Enjoy!
Serves 2-4.
***
Happy WIAW!!!
It’s certainly not everything I ate, but everything else paled in comparison.
Have you ever had jackfruit? What is the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
26 comments
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Cait @ beyond bananas
June 1, 2011 at 5:48 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Never had jackfruit, Laura – but but the wway you are descrbing it- I think I am going to have to give it a try. I’ve never seen it in a store, but I will keep a look out for it at farmer’s markets!
JL goes Vegan
June 1, 2011 at 6:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Okay. I want jackfruit. NOW!
Hayley @ Oat Couture
June 1, 2011 at 6:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow that looks great and i’m sure I have seen something similar at our veg shop! Will have to investigate further! Thanks for the recipe!
Laura
June 1, 2011 at 12:53 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Let me know if you do! This was seriously one of the best things I’ve ever made.
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
June 1, 2011 at 8:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have always wanted to try it but didn’t want to buy one of those huge 80 pounders. Good to know the farmer’s market has them cut, I’ll definitely pick up a wedge next time. Those tacos look killer!
Laura
June 1, 2011 at 12:45 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
They’re over by the pre-cut melons and pineapple.
Liz @ IHeartVegetables
June 1, 2011 at 9:15 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ok I’m not going to lie… that fruit KIND of freaks me out! You’re a brave soul!
Laura
June 1, 2011 at 12:45 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
LOL! They always freaked me out too. Try it canned (just be sure it’s not the kind in syrup)!
Lee
June 1, 2011 at 11:05 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I actually saw those bigass Jackfruits in the farmer’s market this weekend too. They looked a little scary!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie)
June 1, 2011 at 11:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never had jackfruit before but I’d definitely give it a try
Hannah@mindrunningwild
June 1, 2011 at 11:19 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow. Can I say delicious? I just posted about dragonfruit a couple days ago and you’re posting about another exotic fruit- must be summer!! Jackfruit looks like fun. I remember seeing one in the chinese food market but it was HUGE and I had no idea how I’d finish it alone. Seriously though, those tacos look so good!
Heather @ girlyeverafter
June 1, 2011 at 11:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I pass by jackfruit all the time at the farmer’s market! There are so many things that I never think to try, but clearly I’m missing out! You’re so creative and I will check these out on my next trip!
briarrose
June 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve heard of jackfruit, but I’ve never had a chance to try it. What a creative way to use it. So tasty.
Veronica Gantley
June 1, 2011 at 6:40 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I too have seen this fruit. I didnt know the name thought it looked funny. All prickly and such. Thanks for the recipe.
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons
June 1, 2011 at 8:02 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ahhhh this is ridiculously creative!!!!! I’ll have to try my hand at it sometime! i’m beyond curious now =)
Parita @ myinnershakti
June 1, 2011 at 9:00 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Vishnu’s favorite fruit is jackfruit! Apparently it’s all the rage in South India!! LOL!
Macaroon
June 1, 2011 at 10:25 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve been wanting to try Jackfruit for a long time, but can’t seem to find it anywhere. I’ll definitely check out the farmer’s markets for it.
Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
June 1, 2011 at 11:31 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve never even heard of jackfruit! I’ll pretty much buy anything if it’s only a dollar, so if I ever see it near me, I’ll have to try it. It looks tasty!
Laura
June 2, 2011 at 10:02 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Haha – I’ll buy anything for a dollar too.
Allie
June 2, 2011 at 10:13 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have never tried jackfruit andddd now I want to!
Allison @ PickyEatingRD
June 2, 2011 at 10:23 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What an amazingly creative meal. I have never even heard of a jackfruit but am so intrigued to go on the hunt and buy one. I also loveee socca and am impressed with a socca taco shell!
E @ Act Fast Chef
June 4, 2011 at 7:49 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow! I also have never heard or seen a jackfruit. I am going to have to hunt one down and post it for my “What’s New Wednesday” post! Thanks for sharing.
Laura
June 4, 2011 at 12:17 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you do with it. Apparently it’s used in a lot of sticky rice desserts too.
Connie Fletcher
February 26, 2012 at 1:46 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I would love to know what part of the world has jackfruit in the farmer’s market….it surely ain’t Vermont!! There is, however, a wonderful Asian market where I can buy the green jackfruit in brine as well as the ripe jackfruit in syrup…the best of both worlds!!!!
Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Laura
February 26, 2012 at 11:37 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We are blessed with the most incredible market in ATL. They have anything you could imagine!
Do let me know if you try it! I need to do it again when they come back in season.
Connie Fletcher
February 27, 2012 at 10:40 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I used the canned version and it was a huge hit!!! Absolutely delish!! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Carolina BBQ Jackfruit Pulled “Pork” Wraps with Pickled Red Onions « the taste space – steam, bake, boil, shake!
March 8, 2012 at 8:47 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] Next time, I think I will try my hand at socca taco shells, which Laura made for her jackfruit tacos. [...]