A detailed tutorial with step-by-step photos and instructions on how to cut a breadfruit easily.
Breadfruit is one of my favourite vegetables. (Oops! It is a fruit eaten as a vegetable). Apart from its amusing name, there is a lot more to this underrated superfood. This post will cover some info about the breadfruit and a detailed tutorial about how to cut a breadfruit with ease.
But why an elaborate tutorial on cutting a breadfruit? Cutting a breadfruit is very easy and many of you may find this post irrelevant. If you are from one of those tropical regions where breadfruit is a part of the cuisine then it may not be a big deal for you. However, there are still many out there who want to know the correct and simple method of cutting a breadfruit.
Many of my “non-Goan friends” used to ask me the easiest and best way to cut a breadfruit. Hence this tutorial. Even if you are a pro, I am sharing some interesting information and facts about the breadfruit for you. So enjoy reading it!
Also do try the breadfruit fry recipe below.
There is a huge breadfruit tree at my parent’s home. (see the pic below). It is almost 12-13 years old. During season, it bears a lot of fruits. I love to prepare neerphanas fodis (semolina-coated fritters/fries; in Konkani we call breadfruit neerphanas) which go as a great accompaniment with vegetarian meals. Occasionally, I prepare bhaji (sabzi) or deep fried fritters.
Sharing this post, to make it easy, for all first-timers who are working with the breadfruit.
What is a Breadfruit?
Breadfruit (scientific name ‘Artocarpus altilis‘) is a species of flowering tree in the jackfruit and mulberry family. It has features similar to jackfruit. Breadfruit is known as ‘Neerphanas‘ in Konkani and Marathi, Bakri-chajhar in Hindi, Gujjekai in Kannada. In Karnataka, it is called as ‘Jeev Kadgi’ by Konkani speaking people.
The breadfruit tree is a tall and evergreen tropical tree. It is one of the highest yielding food plants known. A single tree can produce between 50 to 200 fruits per year and I can vouch for that.
It is mostly oval in shape and has a prickly surface (similar to a jackfruit albeit a bit lesser). Its flesh is white in colour and has irregular polygon shaped bumps or spikes on its outer surface.
Breadfruit grows predominantly in tropical climates in countries of South East Asia, the Caribbean Islands like Jamaica, Puerto Rico etc. and India. Breadfruit grows in abundance along the west coast of India, i.e. the Konkan belt, Goa, Kerala. Trees start flowering in March and fruits appear from May, June to July.
Why is it called Breadfruit?
A breadfruit is similar to freshly baked bread when cooked. Hence the name breadfruit. It is the staple fruit in many tropical regions.
What does breadfruit taste like?
A breadfruit smells and tastes like a loaf of bread. A ripe breadfruit tastes sweet since the starch in it gets converted to sugar. It has a flavour, texture and taste similar to potatoes. A breadfruit has many culinary uses. It can be fried, baked, boiled or roasted.
How to pick a breadfruit?
A breadfruit should be firm to touch and must have a greenish-yellow skin. It should not be dark green in colour which indicates that the breadfruit is unripe.
An unripe fruit will secrete a lot of sap while cutting and cleaning. Also, it will not taste good. (see pics below. Notice the colour difference and the spikes.)
Also, a mature breadfruit has a smooth surface, less sap and brown cracking on the skin. An immature breadfruit will not ripen after plucking.
How to store breadfruit?
A mature breadfruit continues to ripen once plucked. Hence, it is highly perishable in nature. They get spoilt easily. Nevertheless, keeping them refrigerated extends their shelf-life but not for too long.
To refrigerate the breadfruit, wrap a paper around it completely and store in a thick plastic bag. Do not freeze it. The skin will get discoloured to a dark brown colour but that does not affect its taste. It will stay good for upto a week.
Benefits of the breadfruit
A breadfruit is gluten-free and packed with nutrients. Here is a list of a few of its wonderful benefits.
- Breadfruit is high in carbohydrates and a good source of fibre. It is one of the highest fibre-rich foods.
- This dietary fibre in breadfruit lowers cholesterol, blood pressure and cures constipation.
- A good source of anti-oxidants, it helps boost the immune system.
- Rich in calcium and hence improves our bone health.
- Breadfruit contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that regulate metabolism.
- It also contains iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and sodium.
Do include the breadfruit in your diet when it is in season to get its manifold health benefits.
How to cut a breadfruit easily?
I will show you two methods of cutting a breadfruit easily. The second method can be used if the breadfruit is very big or if you are a beginner. First few steps are common to both.
After basic cutting and peeling you can cut the breadfruit in your desired shape, size and thickness as per your requirement for the recipe. The tutorial below is a general guideline to follow.
Initial Preparation
A breadfruit has a lot of sticky sap. Especially if it is freshly plucked. I have also observed a refrigerated breadfruit oozes less sap than a fresh one. Hence, you can also refrigerate for a day and then use it. However, do not freeze the breadfruit.
- Apply oil to your hands and the knife to avoid the sap from sticking. Preferably use an old chopping board.
2. Cut the breadfruit into half lengthwise and then further into quarters.
Note: If there is a lot of sap wipe clean the core using a piece of cloth or tissue.
Method 1
3. Now take one quarter and chop off the part near the stalk/stem as shown in the pic below. Repeat it for all quarters.
4. Slice off the core from the centre. Chop off any porous part too. Sometimes it is not possible to completely remove the core, especially if the breadfruit is very big. I will show you how to chop it later on.
5. Now peel off the skin of the breadfruit using a knife in a top to bottom direction.
6. Next, chop slices of breadfruit of desired thickness.
7. Now you can chop any remaining part of the core, from each individual piece. Also chop the porous part of the breadfruit. The breadfruit is ready to use in your recipes.
Method 2
8. Cut each quarter breadthwise into half again as shown.
9. First, chop off the part near the stalk as shown in the pic below. Then, cut the core from top to bottom.
10. Next peel off the skin of the breadfruit using a knife.
11. Chop any remaining part of the core, from each individual piece. Also chop the porous part of the breadfruit. Finally, cut the breadfruit into pieces of desired thickness, shape and size.
Enjoy breadfruit in a variety of ways!
Some Interesting Facts
- The breadfruit is cultivated in around 90 countries. There are more than hundreds of known varieties.
- In some countries it is eaten, raw or cooked, as a ripe fruit.
- Its wood is lightweight and resistant to termites. Hence, in the Pacific Islands, its wood is used to make furniture and canoes.
- The latex sap is used as a sealant for canoe caulking (waterproofing and sealing).
- The pulp of breadfruit tree wood is used to make paper.
- Breadfruit is gluten-free hence it is used to make gluten-free flour.
- The male breadfruit flower is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insects. The phytochemicals present in it act as a repellant.
- The fruits and leaves are used to feed domestic livestock.
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