By Daisy Polowetzky, Cover Photo By Rakeem Burrell (Unsplash)

It may not be the most attractive fruit in the grocery store, but, despite its spiky exterior, jackfruit is truly versatile. From acting as a meat replacement, to being rich in vitamin C, jackfruit is perfect for your next “Meatless Monday,” or even just as an exciting new addition to your fruit bowl. 

What Is Jackfruit?

Known as the world’s largest tree fruit, jackfruit is native to areas of Asia, Africa, and South America, sometimes weighing over 40 pounds. Although the outside of jackfruit is covered in pointy green spikes, the inside of the fruit contains tender, sweet flesh that tastes similar to banana or mango. 

Where Can You Find Jackfruit?

While jackfruit is not native to the United States, there are still many ways to get your hands on the prickly fruit. In cities with large Chinese populations like New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, fresh jackfruit can be found at local Chinatown fruit vendors, usually for affordable prices. For those who don’t live in major cities, jackfruit can be found in Asian markets or grocery store chains like H Mart. Although fresh jackfruit is best, canned jackfruit is also available at major grocery stores like Walmart and ShopRite.   

How Is Jackfruit Used?

Jackfruit is beloved around the world for its versatility. In the Philippines, jackfruit is used for a dish called ginataang langka, in which unripe jackfruit is cooked in coconut milk and served like a stew. In Brazil, people eat ripened jackfruit, and in Sri Lanka, jackfruit is prepared in a dish known as polos ambula, which is essentially a jackfruit curry. But the most popular use of jackfruit by far is as a meat substitute. Unripe jackfruit has a natural meat-like texture that, when cooked or shredded along with other spices and sauces, tastes similar to pork or beef. Most people use jackfruit as taco meat, sandwich meat, or even hotdog meat. As more people become climate-conscious, jackfruit is a great sustainable alternative to mass-produced meat.