In line with the warm weather, my proposal for today is vegan Tacos with Jackfruit. This truly versatile Asian fruit is an ideal and all-natural meat substitute. Together with the delicious tortillas, these vegan and gluten-free Tacos are a great, uncomplicated dish for a sociable round.
Jackfruit
For Jackfruit to be used as a substitute for meat in vegan dishes, it is harvested raw in its cultivation regions in Southeast Asia. Unripe, it is inedible, but by seasoning and cooking it acquires fiberiness and flavor that makes it a versatile and absolutely natural meat substitute. When left to ripen, Jackfruit tastes like a mixture of mango, pineapple and wine gums. A single fruit can weigh up to 35 kg and grows directly on the tree trunk. A fully grown tree bears up to 3 tons of fruit per year – no wonder, they don’t grow on branches!
For your conscious diet, Jackfruit is a miracle food: low calories, low fat, low sugar, but full of fiber and important nutrients. It is ideally suited for spicy dishes, as its neutral taste lets spices reign at their best. Talking about being conscious: Jackfruit trees are naturally drought and pest-resistant, easy to grow and give farmers an ongoing- high-yield crop.
The organic Jackfruit in brine is sold in the glass or in the can. They mostly come free of artificial flavors, preservatives and additives.
Tortillas
Original Tortillas are always made of cornflour. You can buy them ready-made in many stores and markets. I like to go to my little neighbourhood store in Kleinbasel, which sells foodstuffs and specialities from all over the world and fits perfectly into this colorful, bustling, and multi-faceted quarter. The corn tortillas sold here are made by a Mexican woman in Switzerland. If you live in Switzerland definitively check out their products on their website. Additionally to a fine taste, their corn tortillas have an excellent texture. In many cities throughout Switzerland, you can find stores selling ingredients or products from Central America and around the world, some of which are even made in Switzerland and using original recipes. An exploratory tour is always worthwhile!
Jackfruit plus Tortillas = yummy Tacos
Let’s have a look at the filling: here you can add to my recipe whatever you like and prepare your tacos spicier or milder – all up to your fancy! When preparing Tacos for a group of guests, you can present different bowls of ingredients and each guest can make their own favorite Tacos at the table. Start with my recipe and let your creativity run wild with other ingredients. For example with diced tomatoes, guacamole, finely chopped raw vegetables, mild to hot chillies, jalapenos, soy sour cream, vegan grated cheese or Mango, everything tastes wonderful. And additionally provides loads of happy spirits at the table.
Gluten-free
Are you interested in creating healthy gluten-free experiences for your taste buds? Check out all my gluten free recipes here.
Vegan Tacos With Jackfruit – gluten-free
Equipment
- 1 or 2 frying pans, knife and cutting board, several small bowls
Ingredients
Für die Jackfruit Füllung
- 1 can of young jackfruit drained weight 225 g
- 2 small spring onions 150 g, in feine Ringe geschnitten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 glas corn Abtropfgewicht 230 g
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 1 tsp cumin seeds im Mörser zerstossen
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- tsp Optional: ¼ tsp Chili powder
Additionally
- 12 corn tortillas
- ¼ head lettuce or Battavia salad
- optional: ½ bunch of fresh coriander
- optional: 1 portion of home-made Guacamole
- optional: 1 small glass pickeled Jalapenos
Instructions
- Put the jackfruit into a fine-meshed sieve and rinse under running water, squeeze it out with your hands and pull it apart. Cut the spring onions into fine rings.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the jackfruit and fry for 5 minutes, turning the jackfruit over and over again.
- Add corn, spring onions, tomato paste and tamari and fry for 5 minutes. Keep moving constantly.
- Add the spices and roast for 1 minute.
- Keep the jackfruit filling warm on a low heat. Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients for the tacos and place them on the table. Finely chop the lettuce. Finely dice the tomato and, if you like, prepare a home-made guacamole (made from avocado, a little lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin powder and garlic). Optionally provide jalapenos and fresh coriander.
- Heat one corn tortilla at a time in a frying pan. Turn after about 30 seconds and wait until the tortilla is warm and puffs up a little. Proceed in the same way with all corn tortillas and keep them warm in a covered basket.
- Once all is ready on your table, everyone can put together their own taco. A truly social and all relaxed meal. ☺ Bon appetite!
