A featured ingredient in my latest post over at Ironman.com is jackfruit. Often lumped in with the 'tropical fruit' family, jackfruit is a flavorful summer treat. The outer surface looks like a thorny green pear but the flesh inside is yellow. Jackfruits are a nutritional bonanza: High in potassium, protein and Vitamin-B, jackfruit is one of the rare fruits that offer a high dose of the complete B-Complex vitamins. At about 95 calories for a 1/2 cup, they pack quite the nutritional punch.
Trust me when I say it tastes better than it smells. The taste can be described as a 'mellow mango,' a little peachy and a little pear-like. The texture is between a chunky applesauce and an overripe banana. Vegans often use canned jackfruit as a meat alternative due to its thick texture and ability to absorb flavors. My favorite way to use jackfruit is in a vegan taco.
