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Jackfruit is the fruit of the tree Artocarpus heterophyllus, a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. It is native to the western coast of India and is well-suited to tropical lowlands. Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with each fruit weighing between 10 and 25 kilograms. While jackfruit is not native to Afghanistan, the country does produce a variety of fruits, including grapes, melons, and pomegranates. Afghanistan's varied crops correspond to its topography, with fruits of many kinds being produced in the areas around Kandahar, Herat, and the broad Kabul plain.
What You'll Learn
Jackfruit is used in Afghanistan's national dish
The name 'Kabuli' is derived from 'Kabul', the capital of Afghanistan, and the dish is considered a festive and important dish due to the quality and price of its ingredients. It is a staple at Afghan gatherings and is placed in the centre of the meal, with other foods surrounding it.
A vegan version of this dish replaces the lamb or chicken with jackfruit, a giant, green fruit with a meat-like texture. This version is prepared in a similar way to the traditional dish, with the jackfruit fried alongside onions and garlic, and then mixed with the rice, carrots, raisins, and almonds.
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Jackfruit is a good meat substitute
Jackfruit is a large, tropical fruit native to India. It is also grown in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other tropical areas. Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, weighing between 10 and 55 kg. Jackfruit is a good meat substitute because of its texture and mild taste. Its flesh has a stringy, shredded texture similar to pulled pork or chicken, and its mild taste allows it to easily absorb other flavours.
Jackfruit is a good source of nutrients. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion provides:
- Fat: less than 1 gram
- Vitamin B6: 19% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 15% of the DV
- Potassium: 10% of the DV
- Thiamine: 9% of the DV
- Copper: 8% of the DV
- Magnesium: 7% of the DV
- Niacin: 6% of the DV
- Folate: 6% of the DV
Jackfruit is also a good source of plant compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, which may offer some protection against chronic diseases such as heart disease.
However, jackfruit is not a good source of protein, containing only 1.7 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Therefore, if using jackfruit as a meat substitute, it is important to eat other plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, peas, nuts, and seeds, to ensure a balanced diet.
Jackfruit can be bought fresh, canned, or vacuum-sealed. When preparing fresh jackfruit, it is important to have plenty of towels on hand to clean up any excess juice, as the fruit releases a sticky substance when cut. Canned jackfruit is a more convenient option and is often pre-cut and ready to be used in recipes. When using canned jackfruit as a meat substitute, it is best to choose a variety packed in water or brine rather than syrup, as the fruit tends to absorb the sugar and become overly sweet.
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Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit
Jackfruit, or Artocarpus heterophyllus, is the fruit of the Jack tree, a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family (Moraceae). It is native to the western coast of India and is widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the Philippines. Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching up to 90 cm (35 inches) in length, 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter, and weighing up to 55 kg (120 pounds).
The jackfruit tree is well-suited to tropical lowlands and thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. It is often found in forests, roadsides, and orchards, and does not require much maintenance or resources to flourish. A mature jackfruit tree can produce 100-200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits annually. The fruits grow on the branches and trunks of the trees, which can reach heights of 30-50 feet.
Jackfruit is a multiple fruit, composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers. The fleshy petals of the unripe fruit are edible and are commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. The ripe fruit is sweet and commonly used in desserts, while the unripe fruit has a mild taste and meat-like texture, making it a popular meat substitute. The seeds of the jackfruit are also edible and are said to have a sweet, milky taste similar to Brazil nuts.
In addition to its use as a food source, jackfruit is also valued for its wood. The golden yellow timber is used for building furniture and houses, and is important in the manufacture of musical instruments. Jackfruit trees are also grown for shade and to break wind.
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Jackfruit is native to India
Jackfruit is native to the western coast of India, specifically the Malabar Coast in Kerala, where it has been cultivated for 3000 to 6000 years. The word "jackfruit" comes from the Portuguese "jaca", derived from the Malayalam language term "chakka". The fruit is an important part of Indian cuisine and culture, and is used in everything from traditional breakfast dishes to wood carving.
Jackfruit is the fruit of the Jack tree, a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. It is the largest tree fruit in the world, reaching up to 55kg in weight and 90cm in length. A jackfruit tree can produce up to 500 fruits per year, each consisting of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers. The ripe fruit is sweet and commonly used in desserts, while the unripe fruit has a mild taste and meat-like texture, making it a popular meat substitute. The seeds are also edible and are said to taste similar to Brazil nuts.
In India, jackfruit is used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. Ripe jackfruit is used in custards and cakes, while unripe jackfruit is used in curries and spicy side dishes. The leaves are used as a wrapping for steaming food, and the wood is used for building furniture and constructing houses. Jackfruit is also made into products like noodles, chips, and even shampoo and skincare products.
Jackfruit plays a significant role in Indian agriculture and culture. It is the state fruit of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Kerala hosts jackfruit festivals to celebrate this beloved fruit.
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Jackfruit is a versatile ingredient
Jackfruit is native to the western coast of India and is now grown in tropical regions around the world, including Brazil, Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Central and Eastern Africa, the Caribbean, Florida, and many Pacific Islands. It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, weighing between 10 and 55 kilograms.
The unripe jackfruit has a mild, neutral flavour and a dense, meaty texture similar to pulled pork or chicken, making it a popular meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes. It is often used in savoury recipes such as curries, tacos, barbecue sliders, and sandwiches. Its ability to absorb flavours makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in various cuisines, from spicy Asian curries to savoury southern BBQs to comforting Italian pastas.
As the jackfruit ripens, its flavour becomes sweeter and more distinctly tropical, resembling a blend of pineapple, banana, apple, and mango. Its texture also softens, making it perfect for use in sweet dishes such as smoothies, fruit salads, jams, jellies, marmalades, sticky rice, and frozen desserts.
In addition to its versatility in cooking, jackfruit is also a good source of nutrition. It is high in fibre, low in calories, and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has been linked to several health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, reduced inflammation, and improved skin health.
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Frequently asked questions
Jackfruit is native to the western coast of India and is grown in tropical and subtropical climates. While Afghanistan shares a border with India, it is not tropical or subtropical, so jackfruit is unlikely to grow there.
Afghanistan has a warm and dry climate, with irrigated and rainfed cultivatable land limited to certain areas. The country experiences erratic winter snows and spring rains, which are vital for agriculture.
Afghanistan is known for producing grapes, melons, and pomegranates. Other fruits grown in the country include apples, apricots, cherries, figs, mulberries, and pistachios.
Jackfruit is a large, spiky, green-coloured fruit. It is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines and can be eaten ripe or unripe. The ripe fruit is sweet and is used in desserts, while the unripe fruit has a meat-like texture and is used in savoury dishes.
Afghanistan's national dish is a savoury rice dish called Kabuli Palau, which typically includes lamb or chicken. However, vegan versions of this dish often use jackfruit instead of meat.
