Jackfruits in USA is a rare sight except for the Asian stores in some states. My Sakuntala athai (aunt) is my guru in peeling this fruit during her visits on summer vacations. She used to teach me every culinary art she knew , while playing with us too and our summer holidays would be filled with family gatherings and happiness.
Nowadays , I simply walk past my favorite fruit, analyzing (??) its quality and price (while comparing it with an almost inexpensive fruit in India) and also for the time / effort it takes to get the fruits. But this time hubby dear compelled me to buy at least a small piece as he too loves it very much:) Some years ago, as newly married, he used to buy these BIG jack fruits on weekends from koyambedu. Sometimes he would drive there while coming home, just to pick up this fruit. Our street kids would wow on seeing him with this fruit:) After Saturday lunch he would make me sit and peel the whole fruit, while he was watching his favorite movies and munching these yummies with our little friends:) The next day our houses would have a lot of jackfruit seeds and we would cook them the whole week:) The next time if I see this fruit, I will not think anything else, except the happiness and sweetness it gives:) Happy memories are treasures...right !
Tips:
Jackfruit is a composite fruit. Fruit develops from ovary of multiple flowers, e.g. Pineapple, Jack fruit.
Jack fruit seeds are easy to get in Chennai. They sell it in heaps.
In USA, we can get it in freezer aisles in Indian grocery stores.
How to peel / cut jackfruit?
If we can get a fresh (whole) jackfruit, then peel as follows:
* Spread a lot of news papers underneath and place the jack fruit in the floor.
*Take a 1/4 cup of sesame oil (any oil) and generously apply it on our hands and knife.
*Cut it into half. Remove the hard central stem , that runs from top to bottom.
*again and again apply oil in our hands, as the gum in jack fruit can't be washed easily if oil is not applied while peeling.
*Loosen the yellow fruits inside by running the knife all around the edge without cutting the fruit.
*Take out in small portions and remove all the fibers around individual fruits and place them in a clean bowl. Slit open and remove the seeds.
*
It is a good idea to remove and salvage the seeds, before handing them
over for eating. Because many people throw away the seeds without
knowing what to do with them:) These seeds can be used as snacks by
boiling , dry roasting or stir frying.
*Jack fruits, once peeled can be eaten fresh. They can be packed in airtight containers and stored in fridge for a week.
*Jack fruit can be made into jam, kesari,
payasam etc. Also it is soaked in honey and eaten as a delicacy.
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| Jack fruit, the yummiest of all fruits in the world:)...my world:) |
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| After peeling off the edible fruits, take out and save the seeds, before serving. |
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| Peel the outer layer and chop the seeds coarsely |
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| Fried jack fruit seeds |
Ingredients:
Jack fruit seeds - 25
salt - taste
coconut oil - 1 or 2 tbsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
fennel (sombu ) - 1 tsp
curry leaf - 1 sprig
black pepper powder - 1 tsp
red chilly powder - 1/4 tsp
cumin powder - 1/4 tsp
water - 2 tbsp
Method:
Peel the outer white layer of jackfruit seed. Chop into big pieces.
Heat oil in a wok. Add fennel and as it gets red , put the curry leaves.
Then add the chopped seeds, turmeric powder, pepper, cumin, chilly powder.
Stir well for 1 minute. Cook covered with a handful (2 tbsp) water.
After 10 minutes , it would get soft. Then add salt.
The take off lid and fry till it turns little crispy.
Jackfruit seed fry is ready!
Serving suggestion:
Serve as side dish with paruppu kuzhambu / sambar and rice or with curd rice.
