• Common Name: Jackfruit
• Scientific Name: Artocarpus heterophyllus
• Family: Moraceae

Jackfruit tree is native to Southeast Asian Countries, but has found it way to other countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and others. Jackfruit is a large prickly fruit similar in Durian fruit, it measures 12 to 20 inches long, 8 to 10 inches in width, and weigh about 18 kg. and more. Jackfruit are very fragrant, when you open the fruit you will find the fleshly bright yellow part (when ripe) which can be eaten raw or can be cooked with syrup. When unripe its flesh is green, and it can be made into a delicious vegetable dish. Inside the fleshy part are the seeds (nut) which is similar to chestnuts. Jackfruit seeds can be roasted or boiled. In other countries where it doesn't grow, jackfruit can also be purchased frozen, dried or canned either in brine (when unripe) or in syrup (when ripe).

Nutritive Values: Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A: none
• Vitamin B: Thiamine .03 mg.
• Riboflavin: none
• Niacin: .4 mg
• Potassium: 303 mg.
• Vitamin C: .8 mg
• Fat: .3 gm.
• Carbohydrates: 25.4 gm.
• Protein: 1.3 gm.
• Calories: 98

Health Benefits:

• An excellent energy food with only a small amount of fat.
• May help prevent and treat tension and nervousness.
• Helps in obesity.
• Helps prevent constipation.
• It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion.
• Helps to lower blood pressure because of its high potassium content.
• Jackfruit is rich in phytonutrients that can fight cancer and slow down degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases.
• Jackfruit is a good source of Vitamin C. The human body does not make vitamin C naturally so we must eat foods that contain it.
• The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea.
• Jackfruit provides a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Recipe of Ripe Jackfruit in Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 kg. fresh or canned jackfruit flesh, cut into strips
• 300 ml. water
• 400 ml. sugar

Procedure:

• Wash the jackfruit well.
• Pour the water and sugar in a saucepan, stir to dissolve that sugar.
• Add the Jackfruit and simmer over medium heat for 10 minute. Then lower the heat and simmer for another 10 minutes.
• Serve hot or cold.

Unripe Jackfruit with Coconut Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo unripe jackfruit (washed and cleaned)
• 3 pieces chili
• 1 tablespoon leeks (chopped)
• 1 small red onion (diced)
• 1/2 cup small shrimp or dried fish (flaked)
• 2 1/4 cups coconut milk (1st extraction)
• 1/4 cup water
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Procedure:

• In a deep casserole, boil jackfruit meat until tender.
• In another casserole, saute' onion, leeks, chili and shrimp.
• Add in jackfruit and pour in 1 ¼ cup coconut milk and water.
• Bring up to a boil for 5 minutes.
• Lower heat and simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• When cooked, pour in the remaining coconut milk and cook for 3 minutes.
• Serve hot with steamed rice.