Jackfruit 101 .... and then some ...

picking the jackfruit

dropping the jackfruit

cutting the jackfruit

cutting out the core

rubbing off the sticky latex

pulling out the jackfruit segments

eating it !!

boiled jackfruit seeds

boiling jackfruit seeds

Jackfruit - the largest fruit in the world, is an amazing food and fruit. In jamaica, it is eaten primarily as a fruit, but there are many other ways to eat it. The first thing you might want to know about jackfruit though, is how to eat it as a fruit. It's not a simple peel and eat it type deal. Some advice - do not plan on touching anything while you are preparing the jackfruit or eating it. Leave the phone and whatever else for later. because you WILL make a mess.
Firstly : 
1: Pick a ripe jackfruit. Twist it off the tree. The spiny skin surface needs to be spiny not flattish, that is how you can tell when it's more ripe. Drop the jackfruit onto a hard surface, (like concrete) from a standing position. Drop it onto a plastic bag or cardboard laid out. Do this 2 or 3 times and let it drop on different parts of the jackfruit. This helps the white latex substance to draw towards the center of the jackfruit, (so it isn't everywhere else when you eat the fruit).
2: Put a little oil on your hands and rub over both hands evenly. And it doesn't hurt to put some oil around your mouth area/lips)  This prevents the white sticky latex substance from adhering to your skin. (trust me, it is very hard to remove if you don't use the oil)
3: Spread some plastic on a bench, put the jackfruit on it before digging in with the knife. Put some oil on the knife too. Make it a long bladed knife because jackfruit is very big. 
4​: Cut into the jackfruit just like you see in the picture above. (not across, but down, and to the center core area all the way down. You can cut the whole thing in half to make it more manageable, or just cut a 'slice'.
5: When you have a 'sliced' piece of jackfruit in your hands, you need to cut the heart/core from the fruit area. You will see a lot of the white latex come from the core and also on the top of the jackfruit segments. Use this core that you remove to wipe away the latex from the top of the fruit area. Wipe the fruit with the core, and you will see it 'take away' the latex from the fruit. Do not eat the core area, and avoid eating the latex please. (it has other uses)
6: Now you are ready to eat the jackfruit segments. You will see the obvious 'fruit' in sections. It is held into place by stringy whitish strips that are stuck to the fruit and the rind area. Place your fingers between the segment and stringy strips and pull these away from the fruit. Pull the fruit segment with your fingers near the base of the rind where it is attached. 
7: Now you eat it. Then eat more. And more. It's really good. And versatile too. 
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DID YOU KNOW :
Jackfruit seeds can be boiled and eaten.
Young jackfruit can be used a meat substitute.
The wood of a jackfruit tree can be used to make an orange dye.
The whitish latex substance from a jackfruit can be used as a glue.

Savory Jackfruit Cutlets (makes 2-3 cutlets / burgers)
This recipe can be used to create a main entrée jackfruit "steak" or a jackfruit "burger," as well as jackfruit "meat" balls or the "meat" filling in a casserole. A basic recipe is provided here. You can personalize it with dried or fresh herbs and spices..

• 1 cup fresh young green unripe jackfruit or canned young jackfruit  (drained)
• 1 cup peeled, boiled white, purple or gold irish potatoes
• Vegetable oil spray
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 Tablespoon seeded finely chopped bell or chili pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic

The jackfruit needs to be mashed, Combine jackfruit and potato in a bowl and mash until the mixture is fairly consistent.
Spray skillet with oil. Cook onions, chili, and garlic until soft, about 2 minutes. Add jackfruit mixture; cook and stir over low heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight, if desired).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Shape cooled mixture into "cutlets," "burgers," or "balls." Place on non-stick baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, turning once. The prepared "cutlets" or "burgers" can then be (carefully) grilled or finished in a skillet (with a small amount of vegetable oil spray). The "balls" can be briefly steamed.
Total calories per serving: 127 Fat: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 28 grams Protein: 3 grams
Sodium: 41 milligrams Fiber: 9 grams
great article !!!
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-miracle-fruit-tastes-like-pulled-pork-2015-8
try these cool satay jackfruit kebabs too !!! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYLrRn-jq8Q
very good recipe with pictures and entire process to make vegan 'pork' from jackfruit
http://www.moreveganblog.com/2014/06/28/bbq-pulled-jackfruit/
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