The jackfruit tree is a fast-growing tropical Asian tree related to the breadfruit. They are grown in organic orchards on the island country of Sri Lanka. The jackfruit itself has a spiky exterior and a soft interior.
I tried using jackfruit as a substitute for meat in a BBQ recipe after seeing it all over Pinterest. I purchased a can of the Native Forest brand (Edwards & Sons), rinsed and shredded it with my hands as it’s quite soft, and then cooked it up.
The taste of the jackfruit alone reminds me of olives and heart of palms. My husband liked the flavor, but I was unsure……but I like to try new things so I dove right in.
I decided to make barbecue with it.
EASY Jackfruit BBQ:
I sauteed a chopped half of a yellow onion in 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium low heat for 3-5 minutes until softened.
Next, I added the shredded jackfruit. I sauteed the two until warm, about 3-5 minutes.
Lastly, I added 1 cup of bottled organic barbecue sauce and cooked the combination on low heat for 1-2 minutes until heated throughout.
I served ours with some of my vegan poppyseed coleslaw inside of wraps. My husband really enjoyed them. Me, on the other hand, did not. One of the many reasons I stopped eating meat was because of texture. The texture of jackfruit is much too similar to eating shredded chicken for me. Maybe it’s also because it is slightly pink and looks like raw chicken too.
So, this vegan meat sub did not work for me. However, because my husband enjoyed it, I think it’d be worth a shot at trying yourself. If you do, let me know in the comments below!
Where to buy: I purchased the can at Whole Foods. I’ve also seen the huge fresh fruit at Whole Foods by the bananas. The are very, very large, so you need to get them to cut you off a slice to purchase.
www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Image from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
www.carolynsbloomingcreations.com
Image from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository