Portland has a reputation for being one of the top vegan-friendly cities in the country. With dozens of vegan restaurants and nearly every other restaurant in the area offering at least a few vegan options on the menu, it’s no surprise Portland makes PETA’s list of Top Ten Vegan-Friendly Cities each year.
Food trend experts are predicting that the hottest new substitute for meat this year will be the jackfruit and it’s already starting to take off here in Portland, OR. This popular fruit from Southeast Asia recently made its way to the West Coast and is being used in a number of cooked and uncooked preparations.
What Does Jackfruit Taste Like?
Uncooked and ripe, a jackfruit tastes like a mix between a mango and a pineapple (some liken it to the flavor of Juicy Fruit gum), and has the texture of an overripe banana. But, when an unripe jackfruit is cooked, it has a distinctively meaty texture and it absorbs the flavors of whatever you are cooking it with.
Are There Health Benefits?
In addition to being a delicious substitute for meat, jackfruit offers many other benefits. The benefits of jackfruit include:
- High in antioxidants including vitamins A & C
- A good source of vitamins potassium & zinc
- Contains anti-aging, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, and anti-ulcerative properties
- 3 grams of fiber per cup
- Low in calories, sodium and is nearly fat free
What Can I Make With It?
Because jackfruit is so good at taking on flavor, it can be used in nearly any preparation in place of meat. Some of the jackfruit recipes we’ve seen around town are BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, jackfruit tacos, jackfruit pulled pork and jackfruit curries.
If you are interested in adding a jackfruit recipe to your menu, we’d be happy to help with your menu development and share some tips on how to work with and prepare the fruit for cooking. We offer both fresh jackfruits and canned options, too.
At McDonald Wholesale, we’ve always got our finger on the pulse of what’s trending. Contact us today to learn more about this hot new substitute for meat and other food trends for 2017.