Chaako | How to make Raw Jackfruit Vegetable Recipe?

Goan-style Raw Jackfruit Recipe | Tender Jackfruit Recipes | Jackfruit Vegetable or Sabzi | Kathal Ki Sabji | Kadgi Chaako Recipe

There are many raw jackfruit recipes in Goan cuisine. Goan cuisine is diverse. It converts any vegetable or fruit into a delectable recipe. Chaako is one such flavourful dish prepared using raw jackfruit.

As the summer starts approaching, raw jackfruits will be available in abundance. Ripe jackfruit recipes are relished by everybody but rarely do we try the raw jackfruit. Although cleaning the raw jackfruit is a cumbersome and messy task it is worth the effort. There are many recipes using jackfruit and Chaako is one of the simplest of green jackfruit recipes.

What is Chaako?

Raw jackfruit is called ‘Kuvlo’ or ‘Chaako‘ in Konkani. A ‘bhaji‘ or vegetable is prepared using raw jack fruit which is also called ‘Chaako’.

Chaako is raw jackfruit dry recipe (sans gravy) wherein raw jackfruit is boiled or steamed first and then tossed in a tempering of mustard seeds, green and dry red chillies and asafoetida (hing). This is stir-fried and finally, grated coconut, jaggery and salt are added towards the end.

Although Chaako makes no use of spice powders or any masalas it tastes really flavourful. The raw jackfruit which has a fibrous and firm texture becomes soft and meaty upon cooking. Its stringy flesh mimics the texture of meat.

This vegan stir fry recipe has simple flavours and can be served with hot steamed rice with some curry or even rotis and chapatis. Do try out this simple and healthy green jackfruit recipe.

Raw Jackfruit

Raw jackfruit known as ‘Kuvlo’ or ‘Chaako‘ in Konkani is also known as ‘Kaccha Fanas‘ in Marathi (Kaccha means raw), ‘Kathal’ in Hindi, ‘Panasapandu‘ in Telugu and ‘Halasu’ in Kannada.

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that grows in abundance in Asia, Africa and South America. In India, it is grown in abundance in southwest India. It belongs to the Moraceae plant family, which also includes figs, mulberries and breadfruit. It is the largest among all tree fruits.

Raw jackfruit is gaining immense popularity amongst vegans because of its fibrous texture that resembles meat. It is often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan recipes. 

Unripe jackfruit is green in colour and is spiky on the outside. It is the state fruit of Kerala and Tamilnadu.

Also, India is the largest producer of jackfruits in the world. In Goa, you will find a jackfruit tree in almost every household in the rural areas.

Both unripe and ripe Indian jackfruit is used for different culinary purposes. There are many tender jack fruit recipes in Goan cuisine. Tender jackfruit curry, Chaako, Sushelle, Jackfruit Biryani etc. are a few of the popular ones.

Raw Jackfruit Taste and Texture

Raw jackfruit has a neutral (noticeably bland) taste and flavour. Hence, this makes it easier to adapt to different recipes because of its capacity to absorb the aroma of the spices used in cooking.

It has a fibrous texture, similar to meat; hence, it is popular amongst vegetarians and vegans. Moreover, it is affordable and sustainable as compared to other plant-based meat alternatives.

However, it does not contain enough protein. 100 g of jackfruit gives you only 2-3 g of protein. So although it is adapted as a meat substitute you will have to complete your protein intake via other food sources.

However, the addition of boiled dried green peas (as in the chaako recipe) can complete the amino acid profile to some extent.

How to cut a raw jackfruit?

Cutting raw jackfruit is a laborious process if you are a novice. With little practice, the right tools and technique you will be able to cut a raw jackfruit like a pro.

The main problem is with the sap or dheekh (in Konkani) of the tender jackfruit. It is so sticky that it becomes difficult to manage.

Hence, use oil, as it prevents the sap from sticking to the surface of anything. Also, keep applying oil to your hands in between as required.

For a more detailed tutorial on how to cut a raw green jackfruit easily, check out the post below.

How to cut a raw jackfruit

But here is a quick overview:

Things you will need:

1. Cutting board
2. A sharp knife or an ‘Aadoli or Villi’ – (a traditional coconut scraper, vegetable cutter and fish cleaning tool)
3. Newspapers
4. Coconut oil (or any other oil)
5. Water (with salt) – Prevents discolouration of jackfruit. Since when it is exposed to air it oxidizes.
6. Tissue papers/Old cloth pieces/Coconut husk
7. Patience 🙂

1. Gather all the things. Line up your countertop with news papers. Apply oil to everything. Your hands, knife and cutting board.

2. Cut the green jackfruit into 2 halves. You can cut it lengthwise or breadthwise. (In Goa, you get pieces of small jackfruit either halved or quartered).

3. Clean the oozing sap with tissue paper or coconut husk. Cut the raw jackfruit into semi-circles as shown.

4. Chop the outer green rind of the jackfruit. Chop the raw jackfruit into small pieces.

5. Add the chopped pieces of tender jackfruit into salt water immediately to prevent discolouration. The jackfruit pieces are now ready to use in different raw jackfruit recipes.

To clean the knife – Warm the knife slightly on the gas stove and wipe it off with a tissue. Warming the knife makes the removal of the latex easy.

6. If the sap accidentally spills over the counter, apply some oil and wipe off with a tissue or cloth.

Caution: Handle the knife with care while cutting the raw jackfruit, as your hands will become slippery due to oil. Also use a sharp knife or aadoli to cut the tender jackfruit easily. A sharp knife will give you clean cuts too.

Benefits of Raw Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Besides a power-packed nutritional punch, its meaty texture provides an excellent swap for many meat-based jackfruit dishes.

1. Rich in dietary fibre: Helps in maintaining good digestive health. Also, promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.
2. Boosts immune system: Raw jackfruit is loaded with essential nutrients, such as Vitamin C, which helps in boosting the immune system and protecting the body against infections and diseases.
3. Raw jackfruit for diabetes – Regulates blood sugar levels primarily due to the high fiber content and low glycemic index of raw jackfruit.
4. Lowers the risk of heart disease: Phytonutrients (for e.g.; flavonoids) present in raw jackfruit have antioxidant properties that help in preventing heart diseases by reducing the damage caused by free radicals in the body.
5. Aids in weight loss: This is primarily because raw jackfruit is low in calories and high in fibre. It satiates you and prevents untimely cravings.
6. Improves bone health: Raw jackfruit is a good source of calcium, which is an important mineral for maintaining healthy bones.
7. Improves skin tone: Rich in Vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. It helps in producing collagen, which is necessary for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Overall, incorporating raw jackfruit into your diet can provide you with numerous health benefits and improve your overall well-being.

When any raw jackfruit recipe is included regularly as part of a varied diet, the vitamins and minerals in jackfruit can help enhance immunity, may contain antioxidants, prevent osteoporosis and improve digestion.

Ingredients

Here is a list of some of the main ingredients you will need for the raw jackfruit recipe or Chaako:

1. Raw Jackfruit
2. Green peas
3. Grated coconut
4. Red and Green chillies
5. Tempering ingredients like mustard, asafoetida etc.
6. Jaggery

Tips

1. Selecting the raw jackfruit – Always select an unripe, young jackfruit that is hard and firm to touch.
2. Seeds – For this recipe preferably take a jackfruit that has tender seeds formed in it.
3. Variations – In this raw jackfruit recipe, I have used dried green peas. Some people also prepare this using tur dal, onion or white peas.

How to make Chaako?

Soaking & Cooking green peas

1. Soak the green peas for 6-7 hours or overnight. Once soaked discard the water.

2. Add 1 cup water, salt and asafoetida (hing) to the green peas in a pressure cooker.

3. Pressure cook the green peas for 3-4 whistles or until soft.

4. Once the green peas are cooked drain the excess water. Similarly, drain the water from the raw jackfruit.

Cooking raw jackfruit

1. Wash the raw jackfruit pieces a couple of times with fresh water. Finally, drain the water and transfer the pieces to a pressure cooker container.

2. Add a tablespoon of water to the container. Place a trivet in the pressure cooker and add sufficient water in the pressure cooker.

3. Place the container with the raw jackfruit on the trivet. Pressure cook the raw jackfruit for 3 whistles. Cooking jackfruit using the pressure cooker takes less time.

Preparing Chaako

1. Keep all the ingredients ready.

2. Heat oil in a kadhai or wok. Add mustard seeds.

3. Add hing, red chilli and green chillies.

4. Saute the chillies well. Next, add cooked jackfruit along with the water, if any.

5. Saute the jackfruit on low-medium flame. Next, add salt. I have used sea salt. You can use any other salt.

6. Add the boiled green peas and mix everything well.

7. Add jaggery and grated coconut.

8. Mix everything well. Cover and cook for about 5 mins on low flame. Switch off the gas once done.

9. Chaako is ready! Serve hot with steamed rice, some curry and batat fodi (crispy pan-fried potatoes) or breadfruit fry. You can also serve it with chapatis or rotis.

Other Raw Jackfruit Recipes

Raw Jackfruit Curry

Ripe Jackfruit Recipes

Do try out these other authentic ripe jackfruit dishes from nayakskitchen!

Jackfruit Idli

Jackfruit Patholi

Dhonas (Jackfruit Cake)