Kerala's 'chakka' is Indonesia's 'nangka'
Nutrition experts vouch for the amazing nutritional qualities of jackfruit, and this has prompted the fitness enthusiasts to include it in their diet.
Nutrition experts vouch for the amazing nutritional qualities of jackfruit, and this has prompted the fitness enthusiasts to include it in their diet.
Nutrition experts vouch for the amazing nutritional qualities of jackfruit, and this has prompted the fitness enthusiasts to include it in their diet.
Ever since the jackfruit was declared as Kerala's official fruit, the sweet, golden-hued jackfruit bulbs have become the 'super star' on the Malayali platter.
Nutrition experts vouch for the amazing nutritional qualities of jackfruit, and this has prompted the fitness enthusiasts to include it in their diet. In tropical Indonesia too jackfruit trees are abundant, and the fruit is used as a main ingredient in many local dishes.
Malayali athletes who are in Indonesia as part of the Indian contingent to take part in the Asian Games were stunned to see a load of Kerala's official fruit lying unwanted in front of the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta.
Besides, there were plenty of rose apple (chambanga) trees as well, another favourite of the Keralites. In fact a special official has been appointed to clear the fruits that fall off the trees, from the pavements.
Kripto, a reporter of the Republic of Indonesia TV, says that jackfruit or nangka, as they call it, is not a very popular food item in the cities. However, he added that the villagers love the fruit and there are many delicious dishes that they cook with jackfruit as the main ingredient.
Though the sweet and ripe jackfruit bulbs are available aplenty, the Indonesians like it raw.
'Gudeg', a very popular Indonesian local dish, is made by boiling raw jackfruit for several hours with palm sugar and coconut milk. The dish which is neither sweet nor spicy is served along with chicken curry, rice or hard-boiled eggs.
A few five-star restaurants in the country are trying to promote jackfruit by serving dishes like 'gudeg' to foreigners.
The rose apple is called 'jambu air' in Indonesia. The fruit is a little longer than the ones which are found bountiful in Kerala. The jambu air is the main ingredient in 'rujak buah', a traditional Indonesian fruit salad. Fresh rujak buah, which is often served as a special desert at plush dinner parties, is also consumed with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of salt to ease the digestive process.