Tuesday, September 18, 2012

J/ABC Wednesday


J is for Jackfruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), locally known as langka, nangka, is a species of tree of the mulberry family native to Southeast Asia, and is believed to have originated in the southwestern rain forests of India.  Fresh jackfruit can be found in the markets here---it can be eaten unripe (young) when cooked, or ripe uncooked.  The seeds maybe boiled or baked like beans.  It is usually cooked with coconut milk (ginataang langka) and pork, dried fish or shrimps.  It is also available canned or bottled in sugar syrup, or frozen.

The flesh of the jackfruit is starchy and fibrous, and is a source of dietary fiber. The flavor is similar to a tart banana. Ripe jackfruit is naturally sweet with subtle flavoring. It can be used to make a variety of dishes, including custards, cakes, halo-halo (crushed ice with a variety of fruits, milk and sugar); it also adds flavor, color and aroma to Lambanog, a local coconut arrack. Ripe jackfruit arils are sometimes seeded, fried or freeze-dried and sold as jackfruit chips.

It is one of my favorite fruits (ripe) for dessert.


The jackfruit tree is well suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 80 pounds (36 kg) in weight and up to 36 inches (90 cm) long and 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter.  The wood of the tree is widely used in furniture, doors and windows, and traditionally used for musical instruments, specially as a hull of a kutiyapi, a two-stringed, fretted boat-lute.  Wiki


a jackfruit tree at my aunt's yard

Linking to ABC Wednesday

15 comments:

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for this interesting post. This summer I was in Australia . My daughter lives in North Queensland and has an enormous piece of land. She has a jackfruit tree as well. But I have never eaten it. Next time I shall try it! Have a great day!
Wil, ABC Team.

Photo Cache said...

I'm craving turon with langka now that you featured this.

Visit my J here

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I've never heard of such a fruit. So I've learned something. Great J.

Ann said...

I can just imagine what a wonderful sweet dessert it could make with wonderful crust.
Ann

Carver said...

Good post for J. I don't think I've ever had that fruit. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Lois Evensen said...

Looks yummy. I don't believe I've ever had it.

carol l mckenna said...

Great post ~ perfect for ABC ~ sounds delish! ~ (A Creative Harbor)

SandyCarlson said...

Looks delicious!

Roger Owen Green said...

looks JUICY!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Hazel said...

My favoritest fruit! second only to mango. I enjoy dodging death by choking with the lumyan variety :D

Tito Eric said...

I love langka, too!

Cheers ... visiting from ABC Wednesday!

Here's mine:
http://turningboholano.blogspot.com/2012/09/jfk.html

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Interesting -- I'd never heard of this fruit -- would love to try it.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I miss the fresh langka, all we could buy here are the ones in the jar.

Juice in Jars
Your comment always bring joy to me, so leave me one when you can.

Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Martha said...

I have never heard of jackfruit. I learn something new every week! :)

Charlene N. K. said...

I've missed this fruit. It's one of my favorites. I love to eat it fresh. Mmmm....yummy!!! Thanks for posting.