Prior to this years stop here at Key West and the Stock Island Marina we knew Jack shit about Jack fruit. It all started when the lady at the new restaurant down the dock the Barrelhouse, has BBQ’d Jack fruit sandwiches. Nobody in our small circle has tried one yet but eventually John will.
Here is a picture of a few Jack fruit in the wild. I know what you are thinking and I don’t want to start another issue like the LCBO phallic fiasco of several years back. That fiasco lead to various, lets call them shrubs, at the home Liquor store being circumcised, bobbed and perhaps even Bobbitted.
The picture does not do justice to the size of these demented looking large melon sized fruit things. There was one at Public for .99 per pound, I’m guessing it would have been $20 or $25 bucks to acquire and roll one of those babies home. I’m sure if you did it would be healthy and good for you, it’s green isn’t it.
Apparently one must open it up and throw some bits away to get to what you might eati or BBQ and squeeze into a sandwich. When BBQ’d it appears to resemble pulled pork. Since it didn’t come from an animal it would be suitable for weird eating diets regardless of what planet you think you came from.
I always say “there isn’t enough rum in the world to get to me to eat that” but I know it’s likely not actually true. What you see below the fruit looks quite different depending which way you slash one of these babies with your sharpened machete.
By all accounts Jack fruit tastes sweet and fruity… , go figure and it comes from the Jack tree. Dendrologists are such feckin’ geniuses. I’m not sure if dendrologist is the right term so let’s call them fruit tree wizards. These trees originate in Southern India. They can grow up to 80 friggin’ pounds. Imagine your kids taking the family wheel barrow and one of these in their lunch…
I don’t usually share recipes but this one seemed appropriate since we are in Key West the site of the actual ‘Sloppy Joes’. Jeezuz
Jackfruit Sloppy Joes:
This simple recipe for the classic messy sandwich uses…
- 1 can of Jackfruit (chopped)
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 Carrots (pealed and finely grated)
- 2 Garlic cloves (finely minced or grated)
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup Vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (can do vegan or not vegan, based on your preferences)
- 1 tbsp liquid amino seasoning
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Check out Amazon Fresh for some great deals on all these items. Now back to the recipe:
Step 1: Start with cooking your veggies, (about 4 minutes) then add in all spices and liquids.
Step 2: Lastly, add in jackfruit, bring to a simmer.
Step 3: Then, simmer the full mixture for about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Lastly, stick that mixture between two buns and you’re all set to go!
Tonight Captain Rick and Louise arrive from Las Vegas. Their flight is scheduled to come in around 10:45. More later