Jackfruit Quesadillas

If you haven’t tried jackfruit yet, I’d like to suggest you find some and experiment for your next meatless Monday or any day you want to enjoy a filling, vegetarian, meaty substitute. Here in Denver we can buy plain jackfruit in a can at the local Asian grocer. I also saw plain frozen jackfruit there. I prefer it plain (unseasoned) because I like to control the ingredients I add to dishes. But, there are some companies you’ll see in your local grocery store selling BBQ jackfruit and some other common saucy flavors near the tofu and vegetarian protein section. Just ask someone at the store to point you in the right direction!

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that doesn’t have much flavor on its own. It has a texture, when cooked, that can pass for pulled pork or chicken. So think of this alternative the next time you’re making something that would have a shredded chicken or pork ingredient.

I drain the canned jackfruit and then break it apart before cooking.

There are some large round seed-like pods, but they’re not hard, so just go ahead and use all of it.

I like to break it into small pieces to be sure whatever sauce I’m cooking it in penetrates every nook and cranny. As with tofu or tempeh, it’s just bland on its own. Maximizing where the flavor/sauce goes will make each bite better.

This time I made jackfruit quesadillas. I picked up a locally made salsa at the mercado down the street and added some to my jackfruit.

This salsa de piña was SPICY. Whatever salsa you have will do. Use something you like.

Cook the jackfruit on medium-low for 15 minutes or so and then assemble your dish. In this case, I made quesadillas.

I enjoy quesadillas because each piece can be loaded up to your liking.

Extra salsa, avocado, and squash blossoms made for a fun snack.

Or, guacamole, sour cream, and cortido (an El Salvadoran slaw) make yummy combination as well.

Basically, the bottom line is jackfruit is versatile, inexpensive, filling, and vegetarian. It’s worth exploring in dishes that usually call for chicken or pork.