Did you know the flesh of the jackfruit is not the only thing you can eat? Jackfruit seeds are edible too. The seeds are just as delicious as the flesh. In fact, some people like them even more!
Jackfruit seeds have become popular amongst the health conscious as they contain many nutritional benefits and are flexible in recipes.
Jackfruit flesh is thick and yellow and is often used as a substitute for meats. In comparison, jackfruit seeds can be moist and creamy, depending the method of preparation you use.
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some jackfruit, don’t throw the seeds away!
In this article, I’ll explain all the ways you can prepare your jackfruit seeds, and how to extract them. I’ll also discuss some recipes you can try at home and the health benefits of jackfruit seeds.
Are Jackfruit Seeds Poisonous?
Contrary to popular belief, jackfruit seeds are not poisonous. A study has shown that jackfruit flesh and seeds are among the most nutritious fruits compared to other tropical fruits.
According to Healthline, jackfruits seeds are a great source of essential nutrients. They contain a high concentration of protein, fiber, calcium, riboflavin, and thiamine – just to name a few.
With that said, there are some health concerns when it comes to consuming jackfruit seeds.
Whilst jackfruit flesh can be eaten raw, eating raw jackfruit seeds is generally not advised. Raw jackfruit seeds contain some antinutrients that can be harmful to the body. However, once cooked or heated, jackfruit seeds are edible.
If you have any allergies or take a specific medication, jackfruit seeds may cause some complications.
When in doubt, it’s best to seek medical advice from your doctor.
Extracting Seeds from Jackfruit
You have the whole jackfruit, but now you have no idea how to properly remove the seeds. Fear not. Even though a jackfruit can look somewhat intimidating, extracting the seeds from a jackfruit is relatively straightforward.
Here’s how you can extract seeds from a jackfruit at home.
All you need is a cutting board, a knife, some oil, and a pair of plastic gloves, and you’re ready to get some seeds!
- Apply oil to the knife and cutting board. You can use any type of cooking oil (coconut, canola, etc.). This is to prevent the jackfruit’s latex sap from sticking everywhere. Pour some oil on a paper towel and rub oil on the knife and cutting board.
- Wear plastic gloves (optional). The best way to keep your hands clean from oil and sticky latex sap is to use some gloves when dealing with jackfruits.
- Cut jackfruit rounds. Start by laying the jackfruit on its long side and cut it into 2 halves. From there, cut your jackfruit into 1-2 inches thick rounds.
- Remove the core of the rounds. Carefully cut, remove and discard the white core of each round.
- Lay your rounds flat and remove pods. Now, you’re left with a strip of jackfruit ‘pods’. Lay the strip flat and pull the pods away from the base. You will only want the yellow flesh and not the white residue.
- Push the seeds out. All you have to do is push or open the pods to extract the seeds inside.
- Clean up. Rinse your seeds and remove any leftover jackfruit flesh. Now, you’re ready to cook or store them for later use.
To save you the hassle, pre-packed and ready-to-eat jackfruit seeds are also available in some shops. All you need to do is cook them. Some manufacturers even sell cut and frozen seeds. The only difference is that pre-packaged seeds tend to be drier and less fresh.
How to Boil Jackfruit Seeds
Boiled jackfruit seeds make a great simple and nutritious snack. You’ll enjoy the soft, creamy, and potato-like texture of the seed. This is my favorite way to prepare them – it’s fast and delicious!
Here’s how to prepare jackfruit seeds by boiling them:
- Boil the jackfruit seeds. Place the seeds into a pot, and add enough water to just cover the seeds. Add a pinch of salt, cover the pot and let it boil for 25 – 30 minutes, or until soft, it can be easily poked with a fork.
- Let them cool and dry. Drain the water and place the jackfruit seeds on a paper towel or tray and give them ample time to dry and cool down.
- Peel off the outer layer and eat! Once cool, peel off the thin white outer layer, leaving the brown layer intact – it’s edible. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also season your seeds with spices or just some salt, and now you have your healthy snack.
How to Oven Roast Jackfruit Seeds
Roasting is another simple method to prepare jackfruit seeds that you can try at home. Roasted jackfruit seeds make great snacks, and you can also control what kind of texture you would like the seeds to be.
- Preheat the oven to 400F and spread the jackfruit seeds on a baking tray. Optional: To keep cleaning up to a minimum, you can line your tray with baking paper.
- Roast for 20mins, or until the skin starts to peel off. Depending on how you like your jackfruit seed texture, roasting them longer will make them drier, like potatoes.
- Roasting for a shorter time will make the seeds more moist and creamy.
- Let it cool and peel off the outer layer. Once the seeds are cool to touch, peel off the outer layer, and they’re ready to eat.
How to Pan Roast Jackfruit Seeds
Pan roasting is also an easy alternative way to prepare jackfruit seeds if you have no oven or a charcoal grill, as they would in India. Ideally you should use a cast iron pan, however a regular pan should do the job too.
Here’s what you need to do to prepare jackfruit seeds by pan roasting:
- Place the jackfruit seeds into a pan. The pan should be dry, and you will not need any oil.
- Roast over medium-high heat. You know the seeds are done when the outer layer begins to crack and peel off or when the seed is soft.
- Let it cool and peel off any excess layer. Remove the seeds from the pan and let them cool before peeling the extra layer off. If you’re lucky, some seeds may pop right off the shell.
What Can You Do With Cooked Jackfruit Seeds?
Cooked jackfruit seeds are versatile, and there are tons of recipes you can experiment with and try at home. Whether you’re looking for a soup, something sweet, or savory, there’s a jackfruit seed recipe for every occasion. Here are some of my favorites ways to cook jackfruit seeds.
Jackfruit Seed Curry
If you have boiled your seeds, they would be a perfect vegan substitute for chicken or any meat in a simple jackfruit seed curry or even a hearty soup.
Finger Food
Cooked jackfruit seeds can be cut into slices and deep-fried to make crunchy finger food snacks for parties or just for yourself. Or, for a softer dish, you can sauté the slices of jackfruit seeds, as you would sauté mushrooms, with some garlic and butter, and they’ll be great as a side dish.
Hummus Replacement
Do you love hummus or cashew nut spreads? Cooked jackfruit seeds would make you some fantastic creamy jackfruit seed hummus and butter spread alternatives that you can try making at home. This would be especially great for people who are allergic to nuts and are looking for a nutritious and delicious substitute.
Jackfruit Seed Flour
Lastly, if you are looking for gluten-free flour, why not try making jackfruit seed flour at home? I wasn’t joking when I said jackfruit seeds are versatile! All you need are roasted jackfruit seeds, a food dehydrator, and a blender or food processor.
Health Benefits of Jackfruit Seeds
As you know, jackfruit seeds contain numerous nutrients and minerals, but they also provide many health benefits for our bodies too. Here are some of the health benefits that I’ve found:
Reduce Cholesterol
A study found that consuming jackfruit seeds may reduce your bad cholesterol levels and increase your body’s good cholesterol levels. This will reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and diabetes.
Improved Digestion
Jackfruit seeds contain a lot of soluble and insoluble fiber, which are considered prebiotics. Some studies show that this may aid in a healthier gut and promote healthy digestion.
Boost Immune System
Jackfruit seeds contain many vitamins, such as Vitamin A and C. These vitamins could have antimicrobial properties and effects, strengthening your immunity system.
There are so many health benefits, nutritional values, and diverse recipes that jackfruit seeds offer. There’s really no reason why you shouldn’t try preparing your own batch of jackfruit seeds today!
