In this article, you will learn five popular Jamaican Breadfruit recipes with coconut milk and other cooking techniques. The formulae include roasted, boiled, stewed, and fried preparation methods. However, before delving into Breadfruit's deliciousness, I would like to discuss its origin and health benefits.
Breadfruit, also known as Artocarpus Altilis, is an all-around-fruit abundant in tropical regions of the world. The first tree was planted in Jamaica at Bath Botanical Gardens, brought from Tahiti by Captain William Bligh.
It is a staple food rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin C, and Thiamine. Among its health benefits, it also helps improve digestion, aids bone health, and is perfect for people with diabetes due to its low glycemic content.
If you have breadfruit trees in your garden, you may attempt these recipes at home. Fresh Breadfruit is available at most Caribbean food and international market stores for the nongardeners.
Roast Breadfruit
Throughout the Caribbean, breadfruits are more often roasted than fried. To begin use half or whole Breadfruit and coconut oil for roasting.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 356 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thoroughly wash Breadfruit and dry. Rub the Breadfruit with coconut or peanut oil, wrap it with foil, and bake/roast in the oven for 30 minutes.
Peel the outer layer of skin, remove the core and slice it thinly—on a sheet pan line slices on parchment paper.
Place peeled and sliced Breadfruit back in the oven for 10-15 minutes, then serve hot.
Fireside Method
Add charcoal to a coal pot stove and pour two tablespoons of kerosene oil over the charcoal.
Then, with a lit matchstick, place flames on coal. Cover the coal pot stove with a firm meshed sheet, pan, or rack. Once the fire is reduced, place green Breadfruit on the meshed sheet pan.
Turn fruit every 15 minutes and roast all surfaces until the skin is burnt.
Allow to cool and peel the outer layer when warm.
Remove the inner core and slice thin as a side dish with your favorite entre.
It is traditionally served with Ackee and Saltfish, Callaloo, stewed grace mackerel, or curry chicken.
Jamaican Breadfruit Run Down
Breadfruit Run Down is cooked with flavors incorporated with coconut sauce and spices.
How to prepare the rundown:
Cut the flesh into chunks and boil it until fork tender.
As it simmers, sauté the onion on a different pan and add the garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, and other seasonings. You may now add the chunked boiled Breadfruit with coconut milk. Simmer, and cook until the sauce thickens.
Serve immediately while hot or warm.
Caribbean Breadfruit Curry
Curry powder is one of the most popular ground spices in the Caribbean. With this recipe, you can enjoy a vegetarian curry if you are health conscious.
Boil the breadfruit chunks until fork tender. These boiled breadfruit chunks may be enjoyed as is with an entree or mixed with sauteed onions, bell pepper, and garlic.
Add curry, seasoning, and tomato paste if you choose to combine with vegetables and spices.
Allow to simmer for 5 minutes and add the boiled breadfruit chunks.
Stir it in the curry for at least ten minutes, then serve.
Fried Breadfruit
Following the roasting or baking of the Breadfruit...
Peel away the outer skin and allow it to cool.
Next, remove the fruit core, and slice thinly.
Place approximately half a cup of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium to low heat for 5 minutes.
Slowly submerge sliced Breadfruit in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides of each slice.
Place fried slices on a paper towel or an oil drain rack to remove the excess oil.
Serve warm with your favorite entre.
These are our four simple Jamaican Breadfruit recipes you can enjoy with friends and family. If you are craving Jamaican food, you can search for "Jamaican food near me" to get the most flavorful Caribbean-inspired foods in your area.