jackfruit, otherwise known as durian, has been touted as a “superfood” because of its dense nutritional properties. named after the jack tree from which the fruit is harvested, jackfruit is known to be a low-calorie, zero cholesterol, fiber rich meat-replacement. unlike other faux meats, jackfruit is soy and gluten free, and is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals.

this super fruit’s popularity also can be credited to its unprocessed nature. when harvested before ripened, often referred to as “young” jackfruit, the fruit has a pulled chicken-like texture, creating a more meat-like alternative to tofu, a soy-based protein, or tempeh, a wheat gluten-based protein. the fruit is then packaged as is; no alteration or chemical additives necessary.

i decided to make my way to chinatown in new york city to further investigate this increasingly popular ingredient. orchard grocer, a 100% vegan supermarket and deli, is among the many eateries incorporating jackfruit into their dishes. the small shop is popularly known for its bbq jackfruit and cabbage slaw sandwich, or, as they call it, “the emma” sandwich. 

upon entering the shop, i met a man who referred to the jackfruit sandwich as “the most meat-like vegan sandwich” he had ever tried. as a non-vegan, he said his initial perception was “very chicken vibes,” however he later asserted that the jackfruit itself has “little-to-no flavor” while it does take on the flavor of whatever it is spiced with. it is interesting that even among those without dietary restrictions, jackfruit seems to hold some status. 

after a personal taste test, i found my reaction to jackfruit to be fairly similar to the aforementioned man’s perception. the durian was essentially coated in a bbq sauce, altogether hiding whatever minimal taste the fruit itself possessed. the cabbage slaw offered a nice crunch and change of texture, while the bread, like a sponge, absorbed all the steam the once-hot sandwich released, deteriorating the sandwich’s overall quality. judging the jackfruit alone though, i found myself to be fond of this up and coming super fruit. 

so, why is this food becoming increasingly trendy? i contacted a representative of the jackfruit company, one of the companies at the frontline of this trend. the jackfruit company is turning out packaged and seasoned jackfruit for retail, offering a sustainable, healthy product while also supporting farmers’ trades. upon inquiring as to why the business was initially created, the company’s representative said that their founder, annie, “saw tons of jackfruit going to waste in the industry’s origin country, india, and wanted to figure out a way to change that.” the representative also mentioned that jackfruit’s high-yield and drought-resistance makes it an easy go-to for countries with high hunger rates. jackfruit seems to be a super fruit in more ways than one. 

as the world becomes more conscious of the need for sustainable and “greener” efforts, there is no question as to why a highly nutritious, yet environmentally friendly, crop has become popularized. the nation’s drive toward health and wellness supports jackfruit’s trendiness, particularly among younger generations. this new vegan “meat” option seems to be making its mark across the country and the globe. so, next time you hit the supermarket, be on the lookout for this super fruit.

if you’re interested in creating an at-home jackfruit masterpiece, checkout the recipe below and feast upon a sustainable, nutrient-dense and cost-effective meal!

bbq pulled jackfruit sandwich: a recipe that will feed your body + soul

ingredients:
1 can of jackfruit (i use trader joe’s because it only costs $1.99 but whole foods and a number of other grocery stores carry it too, sometimes at a significantly higher price though!)
4 tablespoons of barbecue sauce
6 whole wheat buns 
2 tablespoons of olive oil
suggested toppings:
– cilantro
– vegan cheese
– onion
– tomato
– lettuce

directions:
1. drain brine from jackfruit.
2. grab a skillet pan and turn up the heat on your stove top to medium.
3. add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet pan and bring it to a simmer.
4. add your drained can of jackfruit and stir as it heats up for about 4 minutes.
5. pour 4 tablespoons of your choice of barbecue sauce into the skillet and stir until the jackfruit is completely and evenly coated in sauce. allow the jackfruit, olive oil, and barbecue sauce mixture to simmer for 4 more minutes.
6. prepare your buns (i like to heat up a separate pan and toast the buns for about 30 seconds on each side but if you like ‘em straight out of the bag, go for it!).
7. remove the barbecued jackfruit from heat and place about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture between the buns.
8. add whatever toppings you have on hand and dig in! and, as you enjoy your sandwich, soak in the effort and thought you’ve put into the nutritious and environmentally conscious meal you’ve now prepared for yourself!

but it turns out organic, grass-fed animals actually contribute more to greenhouse gases and water usage than factory farmed ones. to meet demand, scaling up factory-farmed beef isn’t the answer, either, according to a june 2015 mother jones article. and with those disconcerting facts, consuming large amounts of meat, in general, is getting harder to reconcile.

animal agriculture comprises 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. to give a comparison, transportation exhausts make up only 13% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. that means that meat production contributes more to the destruction of our planet than all of the cars, buses and trains combined.

it also takes about 2,500 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef.

(photo by scott bauer/usda ars)

the average american consumes more than 70 pounds of meat each year, which is 10 to 12 times more than the meat intake of the average person in other countries, such as mozambique or bangladesh.  

vegetarians and vegans have made the decision to completely cut animals and their byproducts from their lives. while these diets are both accepted and understood in our culture, a lot of people don’t have the time, money, or inclination to completely eliminate meat.

is there an alternative? introducing: reducetarianism.   

what does it mean to become a reducetarian? simply reduce your meat intake. the concept is as simple as it sounds. for a variety of reasons, including environmental impact, health benefits and animal advocacy, reducetarians find the middle ground between passionate carnivore and vegetarian.

choose one day each week designated to limiting your meat consumption. many restaurants have certain meatless meals or specials; and many whole foods market locations participate in meatless mondays, where customers can fill a tray with any mix of fruit, vegetables and other vegetarian food items for $8.

 
(photo by ralph h. daily/wikimedia commons)

following this trend, consider eliminating meat from your diet on specific days of the week, or perhaps pledging to only eat meat on the weekends or when you go out for meals with friends. if meat is a large part of your diet that would be difficult to reduce to once or twice a week, another option is to consume animal meat once a day if you would usually have it with two meals, or limiting to half portions.

another way to reduce meat consumption is to substitute animal meat for other proteins such as tofu, seitan, legumes and whole grains. there are also a variety of fake meats to replace animal meat in common recipes.

(photo by andrea nguyen/creative commons)

besides the health benefits of becoming a reducetarian, which include reducing heart disease and stroke, curbing obesity, helping fight against diabetes, and limiting cancer risk, the environmental impact involves saving resources worldwide.

are you able to cut back?

(image at top by kevin walsh/creative commons)

• nuts are packed with protein and pair well with anything. stir some into your breakfast yogurt for a quick, simple and filling breakfast. or, expand your culinary skills and turn ground almonds into this faux feta cheese snack. check out the vegetarian times for more ideas for nut dishes and protein laden garnishes.

• avocados are heavy with fiber, monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, so they are naturally a perfect option for breakfast. they are highly versatile as they can become a spread, smoothie, baking dish and even the main dish. they excel as a protein source later in the day too, lending magic to salads and dips. you can even grill them.

• when in doubt, granola, cereal or a plain bagel with cream cheese is a great meat-free option. remember, you can try an avocado spread on that bagel.

• craving comfort food? feed yourself with this fix: an easy and tasty grilled cheese. pair it with this delicious soup for something even more savory.

• many people like a big, filling dinner. you don’t have to give that up for meatless monday. this is an opportunity to pull out that lasagna or try some delicious eggplant parmesan (i personally tried this recipe and it is a must-try).

• want to get the smoky taste of the grill? try these portobello cutlets (hint: you can slide these on buns and call them “burgers” too). you also can use portobello mushrooms to make a mean quesadilla.

if you can overlook the product plug, you’ll find some more information on having a successful meatless whatever-day-of-the-week-you-choose (cause let’s be honest, it doesn’t have to be monday) on this company’s blog. 

(photo at top: you won’t miss your regular sushi fix with this protein-packed quinoa maki with avocado and cajun portobello fillets. this spicy sushi recipe is from the conscious cook. / photo by belinda/miscdebris via flickr)