Tuesday, 17 July 2018

Breadfruit Croquettes

BREADFRUIT...IS IT BREAD OR A FRUIT???


Hi everyone! Today I went for vegetable shopping and came across an exotic fruit. The shopkeeper told me that it is called breadfruit or Bakri-chajhar in local language. I was curious to know more so I Googled all about it.  I also contacted my nutritionist friend and she provided me lots of information which I have summarized and will share with all of you….So let’s find out breadfruit is a fruit or a bread.


WHAT EXACTLY IS A BREADFRUIT ???
It is a fruit that tastes like a bread and is used as a vegetable. Being from jack fruit family, it has its origin in the region of Oceania from New Guinea . It is a staple food which is the consumed as a vegetable instead as a fruit in many tropical regions.

AVAILABILITY IN INDIA :
Its commercial farming is very limited in India, although India’s warm coastal climate is great for its growth. This fruit is produced in Kerela and the southwest’s Konkon coast.
Local names of breadfruit in India: Bakri-chajhar (Hindi)
                                                                 Nirphanas (Marathi)
                                                                 Irppla (Tamil)  
                                                                 Gujjekai (Konkani)

TASTE OF BREADFRUIT:
It is consumed as a vegetable and before being eaten, it may be roasted, baked, fried or boiled and cannot be consumed in raw form. When cooked, it tastes like a freshly baked bread or a potato.
It is too starchy from inside. Its taste or flavor depends upon its ripeness. Its seeds are also edible and can be prepared fried, boiled or roasted.

After knowing what breadfruit is and from where it is found in India, let’s dig upon its benefits and nutritional value.

Nutritional Value:
It contains moderate levels of essential vitamins and minerals. It is rich in riboflavin, iron, thiamine, phosphorous, calcium etc It consists of 71% of water (which is quite a good source to keep you hydrated), have adequate amount of proteins, carbohydrates and 0% fats.

Benefits of its Consumption:
1.      It is good for heart (It contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids)
2.       Protects against infections
3.       It helps in digestion
4.       It controls diabetes
5.       It helps in relieving in toothache
6.       It cures skin diseases
7.       It’s good for hair.
After learning about the rare fruit, I was excited to try some of the recipes and taste the real flavor of it. A lot of yummy desserts, snacks, or even curry and soup can be made of it.
One of the recipes I tried is Breadfruit .

BREADFRUIT CROQUETTES RECIPE:


















INGREDIENTS:
v  Breadfruit (Boiled and mashed )                          2 cups
v  Potato        (Boiled and mashed  )                           1                                            
v  Turmeric powder                                                  a pinch
v  Salt                                                                        to taste
v  Black pepper                                                         to taste
v  Garam masala                                                        1 tsp
v  Roasted cumin powder                                          1 tsp
v  Onion                                                                        1
v  Ginger-garlic paste                                                1 tbsp
v  Breadcrumbs                                              to overcoat the croquettes



METHOD:
1.       Cut the breadfruit nicely, remove the seeds and boil it pressure cooker for 1 whistle.
2.       Mash the breadfruit and add mashed potato, chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, all spices.
3.       Make small balls or patties.
4.       Overcoat the patties with breadcrumb and and keep aside for atlaest 20-25 minutes.
5.       Deep fry all the patties at medium flame
6.       Serve hot with mint chutney and ketchup as you like.

For breadfruit chips recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor, you may visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXVfnolDuFc

So at the end, it’s finally revealed what really breadfruit is. Do share and comment if you like the recipe.


Stay healthy…









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