Every year on July 4, people celebrate Jackfruit Day. This tropical fruit is a favorite among plant-based diet enthusiasts, often serving as a meat substitute. Jackfruit is a nutrient-rich addition to any diet, as it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Raw jackfruit can be cooked into a delicious curry, while ripe jackfruit can be eaten raw.
Significance and history
Jackfruit Day is a great way to highlight the health benefits of this fruit and celebrate its diversity. It is mostly grown in Asia and found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Yet, attempts to cultivate it in Hawaii have been going on as long ago as 1888. It is possible that the name “jackfruit” first came from the Portuguese word “jaca” which also translates to “wheel.”
Jackfruit is currently grown all over the world, including many former European colonies as a result of colonization. This fruit can be used to make ice cream, jams, pickles, desserts, and other dishes, making it highly valued for its diverse culinary applications.
Jackfruit is being increasingly preferred as a plant-based diet replacement for meat. On Jackfruit Day, people are encouraged to experiment with innovative and healthy recipes that highlight the fruit’s many culinary uses. The day provides a fun and enjoyable opportunity to discover different ways to incorporate jackfruit into meals, showcasing both its nutritional properties and culinary adaptability.
6 Jackfruit Recipes You Must Try
- Jackfruit biryani is made by mixing raw jackfruit, basmati rice, yogurt and various herbs and spices.
- Roasted Pumpkin Jackfruit Curry: A delicious jackfruit curry made with oven roasted pumpkin, coconut milk and a variety of aromatic spices.
- Barbecued Jackfruit Sandwiches – These sandwiches have a wonderful meaty texture and spicy/smoky flavor.
- Jackfruit Curry: This delicious curry is made from raw jackfruit, i.e. fibrous raw jackfruit.
- Chicken Fried Jackfruit – There’s no better way to showcase this fruit’s remarkable ability to resemble meat in both texture and flavor.
- Jackfruit Pot Roast – Jackfruit is used as a substitute in typically meat-based dishes, like this simple pot roast.
5 health benefits of jackfruit
- Boosts the immune system: The vitamin C and antioxidants in jackfruit help strengthen your immune system and make it more effective at fighting infections.
- GIVES ENERGY: Rich in healthy carbohydrates. When you consume it, your energy levels increase instantly.
- Improves digestion: Both soluble and insoluble fibres, which jackfruit is rich in, help ease bowel movements.
- Good for bones: The high calcium content in jackfruit helps in strengthening bones.
- Good for eyes: Rich in beta-carotene or Vitamin A, jackfruit provides nutritious nourishment to our eyes.
Tropical fruits like jackfruit are eaten as a fruit when ripe and as a vegetable when raw. For lovers of plant-based food, its fibrous, thick texture serves as a meat substitute. It is a food that is nutrient-dense and full of vitamins and minerals.
