The name sounds like the start of a nursery rhyme but is a fruit!
One of the largest fruits in the world by the way!
Without further ado, it is our Jackfruit!
Jackfruit is the largest fruit grown on a tree. It takes 5-7 years before a tree will produce fruit. Jackfruit trees will produce 150- 200 fruits per year!
Interestingly, jackfruit is a tropical region fruit!
Another interesting thing is that this is one of the few fruits which has edible seeds! These seeds are packed with nutrients and are 100% edible. Boil or roast them to find a starchy, nutty flavor that blends well with different dishes. A single jackfruit contains about 100 to 500 seeds! My mother used to make this amazing dish with the seeds and that with some Mor Kootan (a version of curd sambar!) was the best combination!
Then you have the fact that the water content in jackfruits is about 80%. If you are looking for a hydration boost, it is helpful to munch on this water-rich fruit!
There are two groups of people though! Those who love the ripe fruit and those who love it when it has not become ripe! The raw jackfruit has so many devotees like my mom and me! You can use the pulp to make such amazing dishes! The meaty nature makes it an ideal ‘vegetable’ which can absorb most flavours and give you a gastronomic delight! In the south it is usually paired with the coconut! They form a bond like NTR and Cherry! While in the north it pair with the garam masala!
Now getting the Jackfruit to your house is a big decision! Or Indecision! If you keep for long then you can only have the fruit since it becomes ripe!
Cutting it also take some expertise and it is not for the weak minded! You need some good coconut oil and lots of space! Even making the dish is not easy! If you boil is too much it becomes too soft and if it is less then it tastes raw! You need to constantly monitor the progress and not leave the stove even for a minute! Since I have been trained by two experts; my dad the cutting expert and my mom the cooking, it is easier for me! Then again it is a great power with responsibility!
In terms of its life span, a jackfruit tree will definitely surprise you!
On an average, any jackfruit tree lives for 60 to 70 years. That is 6 or 7 decades right there! So a jackfruit tree can outlive many people! Also the production of jackfruit is a less challenging task. This is because jackfruit requires minimum care and is capable of thriving in different types of soils. One step further, jackfruit is resistant to pests and diseases, thus eliminating crop losses!
What makes jackfruit a miracle fruit is the very fact that its high yield has helped combat hunger in many regions, thus making it pro-food security.
Over time, jackfruit has become famous as the world’s largest fruit. That is because some jackfruits have grown as high as 80 pounds in weight and three feet in length! A mere lifting of a fruit can make you a he man or a she woman!
Every household especially in Kerala has a knife reserved for the Jackfruit! And one of course for the coconut! The sticky gum which oozes out can defeat many weak vegetable cutters!
The name is derived from the Portuguese word Jaca, which was probably a version of a name used in southern India, “chakkapazham.” Jackfruit in North India is known by kathal, as kanun in Thailand and nangkai, fenne, or sometimes simply jack or jak.
Originating from the rain forests of the Western Ghats of India, Jackfruit tree spread towards other parts! All parts of the jackfruit tree have practical uses. Humans can consume the fruit and the leaves of the tree as food. The endless number of uses for the entire tree has earned it the name “wonder tree” in some parts of the world!
The final over ripe fruit is then mixed with Jaggery and made into a jam called the Chakkavaratti! This Jam like preparation has it own followers! I don’t mind a taste or two but I still prefer the raw fruit anyday!
Mentioning RAW reminds me of our own RAW and those who make sure our country is safe! One such person was Manohar Parrikar, India’s former Defence Ministe! The defence systems that have intercepted 99 per cent of enemy’s fighter jets and missiles are the result of efforts by various former defence ministers and Manohar ji deserves special mention for his key role in procuring the S-400 Triumf missile defence system!
We appreciate!
Jai Hind!
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