Breadfruit is a staple fruit cultured in a variety of places, as long as the weather is warm, because breadfruit cannot tolerate cool climates. The breadfruit tree is a majestic, dark leaved specimen that can reach heights of 85 feet (26 meters). The fruits appear at the tips of the branches in groups of three or less, starting out green and ripening to rich brown or lavender in some varieties. With over 200 known varieties of breadfruit, there are a wide range of sizes, flavors, and colors to choose from. The surface of breadfruit is rough and covered with small four- to six-sided polygonal shapes that sometimes terminate in pliable spines. In shape, the breadfruit is roughly oblong, depending upon the variety.
Breadfruit can be eaten green or ripe. In the green stage, it is treated as a vegetable and requires cooking or processing to be eaten. In the ripe stage, breadfruit can be eaten raw. It is also often boiled or roasted. When baked, it yields a texture and flavor surprisingly similar to conventional wheat bread. Unripe fruit can also be used to make a flour or paste, which can be used successfully in baking.
Breadfruit is also used to make puddings, candied to create snacks, and fried for chips. Breadfruit are rich sources of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Potassium.
How to make Breadfruit Chips
Ingredients:
- Breadfruit
- Salt
- Oil
Procedure:
- Cut the breadfruit into very thin slices.
- Soak the fruit in water until all the excess starch is removed from the fruit.
- Heat the pan with oil, fry slices in the hot oil until they are crisp on the outside and slightly brown.
- Drain them on paper towels and then place them on a tray in a warm oven until the whole batch is cooked.
- Stacking the fries on top of each other in the oven, makes them go soft, hence try to avoid stacking.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with salt, pepper or chili powder.
How to make Breadfruit Jam
Ingredients :
- 2 breadfruits
- 1kg brown sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Procedure:
- Peel the breadfruits and cut them length ways into medium-sized slices.
- Blanch for 10 minutes.
- Slice the vanilla pod in half length ways and cut into 4 or 5 pieces.
- Put the breadfruits, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice together with a small cup of water in a small pan.
- Cover and cook over a medium heat for about 30 minutes.
- The syrup needs to be slightly thick.
- Fill the jar and seal tightly.
Note: If the syrup becomes totally dry, you will have candied breadfruit.
Source: wisegeek.com, fruitsinfo.com, reunion.runweb.com; Photos: gherkinstomatoes.com; en.wikipedia.org