Andhra Style Tender Jackfruit Curry

Jackfruit is a seasonal produce. I have never attempted to buy a piece of this earlier as I was afraid of the chopping part. Jackfruit excretes lot of sticky latex when cut, which is almost similar to the wood glue. So, it is always recommended to grease hands and knife before chopping this. 

For the first time in my life, I bought a slice of jackfruit from the farmer’s market and wondered how this can be cooked. Fortunate enough, my MIL has a recipe for this and it turned out so good. In short I can say this is a vegetarian’s meat curry. Try this before the season ends, and I am sure you will wait for the next season.

Ingredients
500 gms tender jack fruit
2 medium onion, minced
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chili powder
¼ tsp garam masala powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste
2 strands curry leaves
2 tbsp oil (and extra for deep frying)

Method

• Lay an old news paper on the chopping board, grease your hands, knife with cooking oil (these are messy fruits, oozing sticky latex when cut and this step avoids this getting stuck on the hands and knife). 
• Peel the skin off and chop the jack fruit into 1” cubes.
• Deep fry them and set aside.
• Now heat oil in a pan, add minced onion and saute until brown. Add curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste and saute till raw flavor is gone.
• Now add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, red chili, garam masala powders, salt and combine well.
• Add 2 cups water, mix well and let it come to boil.
• Now, add fried jackfruit and combine well, cover and let it cook for 4-5 min.
• Check the seasoning and consistency (if required add more water) and finish it with chopped coriander.

Tastes best with rice or roti.