Since we’re stuck at home this coronavirus season, I felt I would show you guys my Jackfruit rotini pasta recipe.
This recipe is vegan and not to worry, you can still order some of the ingredients online. I honestly believe this is the perfect pasta comfort food to make when you’re stuck at home. So if you just happen to be an Olive Garden fan, but want to stay away from all the dairy, then you should consider giving this recipe a try.
As surprising as this may sound, this was actually my first time trying out jackfruit in a recipe. I have heard vegans rave about jackfruit and how it tastes so much like pulled pork. Therefore, I decided to order 2 cans and try it out for myself.
Does Jackfruit taste like meat?
To be completely honest with you, I don’t personally believe jackfruit tastes like pulled pork, even after you season it.
Since it is a sweet fruit, it still retains its original sweetness. However, you can boil it down and season it properly so that it loses its sweetness.
I honestly believe that jackfruit tastes a lot meatier when incorporated in sauces and soups. So merely choosing to eat it alone like regular meat will only set you up for disappointment. Unless of course, you don’t mind its sweetness.
Jackfruit Rotini Pasta Recipe
I chose to purchase young jackfruit, which a lot of vegans recommend for cooking. They often say that young jackfruit isn’t as sweet as ripe jackfruit, and I definitely do agree with them.
Therefore, if you are thinking of buying jackfruit for cooking, do keep in mind that young jackfruit would be your best bet.
In general, I’m honestly very happy with the way this dish turned out, and I’m sure you will love it as well.
Tips For Great Tasting Jackfruit Pasta
Do keep in mind that you would have to give your jackfruit enough time to cook and break up into shreds. So make sure you don’t rush this process.
If you want to get things done quicker–as well as get rid of the sweet taste–I would recommend boiling the jackfruit in water before adding it to your sauce.
The boiling water soaks up the jackfruit and breaks it into pieces. Plus, it extracts the sweetness from the fruit, so it doesn’t get incorporated in the sauce.
Overall, I’m pleased with this jackfruit rotini pasta recipe and I’m pretty sure you will be as well.
Related Post: The Best Vegan Rice Recipe
Questions on Preparing Jackfruit Pasta
Is Fresh Jackfruit Better Than Canned?
Both fresh and canned jackfruit have their own merits. Fresh jackfruit offers a sweeter, more nuanced flavor but requires additional prep time. Canned jackfruit is usually easier to work with and is often packed in brine or water, making it less sweet and more adaptable to savory recipes like pasta.
Can I Make Jackfruit Pasta Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can easily make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring that all your seasonings and sauces are also gluten-free.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover jackfruit pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Can I Add Other Vegetables to the Dish?
Absolutely! Feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to make the dish more nutritious and colorful.
Where Can I Find Jackfruit?
You can find jackfruit in the canned goods section or the produce section of many grocery stores. Asian supermarkets usually carry fresh, canned, or frozen jackfruit. I personally buy my jackfruit in bulk from Amazon.
Jackfruit Rotini Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Rotini pasta
- 7.9 oz jackfruit - canned young jackfruit
- 8 oz tomato sauce - canned
- 1 red onion - chopped
- ½ cup Coconut milk
- 1 cup Vegetable stock
- 2 tbsps Olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp Salt - divided
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp Thyme
- ½ tsp Curry
- 1 clove Garlic - chopped
- 2 tbsps Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp bouillon - vegan, optional
Instructions
Pasta
- In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, bring approximately 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add your rotini pasta along with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil (to prevent sticking).
- Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the rotini pasta becomes tender.
Sauce
- Heat a saucepan over medium heat with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add your chopped red onion and garlic. Sauté until the redness of the onion gradually fades.
- Incorporate your seasonings (curry, thyme, pepper, salt, and chicken cubes) and mix well.
- Add the jackfruit to the mixture and cook for about 15 minutes or until the jackfruit breaks apart, resembling pulled pork.
- Stir in your tomato sauce, soy sauce, vegetable stock, and coconut milk. Mix thoroughly.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Finally, add the cooked rotini pasta into the sauce and mix until everything is well combined.
- Serve and savor your delicious meal!
