Polos | Jackfruit
Have you ever heard of Jackfruit? Jackfruit is grown in tropical climates around the world, especially in South Asia. It is a species of tree in the same family as fig and mulberry. The massive green bumpy exterior can have a strong, almost unpleasant odour. However, a ripe jackfruit has a sweet smell and tastes similar to tropical fruits like mango or pineapple and makes a great addition to smoothies.
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| Image by Abhilash Jacob from Pixabay |
More About Jackfruit….
Jackfruit is one of the staple diets in Sri Lanka (and many other Asian countries). The fruit is well-known for its incredible versatility and its meat-like texture. In Sri Lanka, it's the poor man's food, loved and enjoyed by everyone.
It is edible at all stages of its life, and each stage of the fruit has a different Sinhalese name. Polos is the common Sri Lankan name for Baby Jackfruit. Therefore this curry is also known as Green Jackfruit curry, baby jackfruit curry, Polos Ambula, Polos Maluwa or simply Polos curry.
If you know any other names for this curry? please share in the comments below.
Choose the ideal Polos…
When you get to the local market to buy a whole jackfruit, look for soft thorns and a surface that yields to thumb pressure. It is worth noting that when cut, the fruit will ooze a sticky liquid, but coating your hands in coconut oil or rubbing the fruit with lemon before cutting can help reduce the mess. Some people even wear rubber gloves during the process.
The Lankan way…
Polos Ambula is made from the unripe/ baby jackfruit, which is also called Polos in Sinhala. If you ask a Sri Lankan what the best vegan Sri Lankan food is, I bet you will hear the Polos ambula/ Polos curry.
Young jackfruit is a great flavour absorber and is mostly seen as a substitute for pulled pork and other meats.
Polos Curry can be prepared in a variety of ways in Sri Lanka. However, most of the recipes are essentially the same, with only minor ingredients and cooking order differences.
When made right you can taste a hint of sourness from goraka (Lankan fruit used for cooking), spiciness, and Lankan curry powder's unique aroma with the creamy coconut milk.
Polos curry is traditionally cooked overnight on a wood-fired stove over very low heat. Slow cooking tenderizes the tough young jack fruit, and the pink-red hue imparted by slow-cooking adds to the curry's appeal.
Check out the below link for a great Lankan Polos Curry which is easy to follow;
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/kolambas-polos-young-jackfruit-curry/
Is it healthy?
Aside from its versatility, jackfruit has numerous health benefits. It is high in potassium, calcium, and iron, making it a nutritious food.
Jackfruit also has more dietary fibre and fewer calories than rice and bread, which means it will satisfy your hunger faster and keep you fuller for longer while consuming fewer calories than rice or bread. Dietary fibre also aids digestion, which boosts metabolism. Jackfruit seeds are high in protein, making them ideal for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Jackfruit can cure at least a dozen diseases on its own, from improving vision to fighting cancer to curing insomnia. However, eating jackfruit can help maintain blood pressure due to its high potassium content, strengthen bones due to its calcium content, and reduce the risk of heart disease due to its vitamin B6 content.
It’s the new superfood !!
As global warming wreaks havoc on agriculture, food researchers believe jackfruit, which is drought-resistant and low-maintenance, could emerge as a nutritious staple crop.
The newfound international fame of jackfruit is a huge turnaround for a plant that, while used in local dishes, has long been regarded as a poor man's fruit.
Apart from the Sri Lankans, people around the world love to enjoy jackfruit in different ways which suit their taste. Check out PETA's article on Jackfruit and a few recipes around the world
https://www.peta.org/living/food/jackfruit-recipes/
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