Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Try It Tuesday - Jackfruit

Welcome to Try It Tuesday, where we try a fruit or vegetable that is new to us.  Last week, we discovered what lies beneath the alien-like surface of the rambutan. This week I present another Southeast Asian fruit...the jackfruit.  It's the largest tree-born fruit there is, and can weigh up to 80 pounds.

You can buy it fresh, in which case you wanna look for a big greenish-yellow ball with little spikes all over it.






You can also buy it in cans. However, I bought it frozen.


It looks like peach or mango. Tastes similar, too. We made the Urban Vegan's Jackfruit-Banana Smoothie.


Jackson sucked his down in record time.

This was all that was left for me after the kids drank their fill!


It didn't blend as smooth as I would've liked, but I think that's because my blender broke and I was using my food processor to make a smoothie, which isn't the best scenario. The jackfruit had a lightly sweet flavor and I picked up hints of cinnamon.

You can also turn jackfruit into vegan BBQ! I am totally going to do this.

Have you tried any new foods lately? I'd love to hear about it, good or bad.

11 comments:

  1. BBQ jackfruit is the best!! i didn't know it grew so large on the tree--80 pounds?! i've never tried it in a smoothie though.

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  2. Yum! I have never tried jack fruit either! I haven't tried anything very new lately...small town WY isn't known for its exotic anything.

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  3. I've heard about the BBQ, which made me think it was more neutrally flavored than the fruit it seems to be. Let us know how that works out! I think it also comes in cans...

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  4. I've heard good things about jackfruit. . .I did hear it used in a recipe for carnitas, subbing it in for the animal. This smoothie looks a little less intimidating, will have to try it!

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  5. Another scary fruit. You and your family are quite courageous.

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  6. Rambutan is one of my favorite fruits! I love jackfruit too! I haven't really cooked or made into smoothies either of them, only fresh. I love that you and your kids are trying new things!

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  7. I've never tried Jackfruit. There's a restaurant in KC that sells jackfruit nachos and sandwiches and stuff, but I've never been there. A co-worker said the jackfruit was amazing though and I'd like to try it!

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  8. Hello, Just found your site randomly while searching for places to buy jackfruit in the Austin area. I have spent time in Sri Lanka working, and this is where I first had jackfruit. I love it! If you have not had it cooked yet you should try!! It is the best! We were served this wonderful fruit in many different ways, and I am looking forward to cooking them for my family! All the best on the food adventures!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by! I buy it at Shahi Food, 12410 N Lamar Blvd. That's the only place I have been able to find the unsweetened jackfruit.

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  9. Hi,

    do you know where I can get jackfruit i Texas in october?

    Kind regards
    Jennie

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