Breadfruit? WTH?

[Mr Taster]

After a visit to Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, I came home with an exotic smelling/looking breadfruit. My only previous experience with said fruit is that it caused a mutiny on the Bounty. For those curious, it looks/smells kind of like a giant cherimoya with the distinct aromatic smack of the tropics.

An enthusiastic Caribbean woman at the fruit stand told me that it is excellent for stewing with any kind of meat. Can anyone make any suggestions? How do I tackle this one? I should say that my breadfruit is very ripe at this stage.

Mr Taster

[KiltedCook]

I lived on a Pacific island for two years where breadfruit is very common. Peel it, cube it and boil like potatoes. Add to stews. My favorite way is to slice thin and deep fry as breadfruit chips!!

[petite maoiste]

YOu can make tostones, Puerto Rican style - cut into thick (about 4 inch) cubes, fry briefly, take out of frying pan and flatten into patties (ideally with a tostonera), dip into cool salted water then fry again, make mojo - olive oil, garlic and line crushed in a pilon (mortar and pestle)

WHERE did you find the breadfruit exacly? I am DYING to find some!!!!

[bigjeff]

if you're in the area, definitely try lexington and 117! when I walked by one early morning, they hadn't set up but I was pretty sure it was there, although in my initial recollection, it was on 2nd. I can go back at some point and give you a confirm; it was a pretty large fruit/veg display, a double-width cart affair, NE corner, and, there was a smoker or some sorta oil drum there too. was also serving plastic boxes of cut fruit for $1, and bags of mexican-style oranges, 3 for $1 (overpriced, since I get it all the time in the bronx 4 for $1).

give it a whirl, sorry I'm not 100% on the location!

[bigjeff]

I've had it in jamaica cut into slices (like yo would a canteloupe) remove the center core and slice off the rind; you can then fry them up on both sides in a pan with some oil; a good one will be starchy almost like taro/yuca; light and almost fluffy.

[megboye]

Hey! Is anyone still monitoring the breadfruit situation? I'm a chef in Los Angeles and I'm desperately trying to get my hands on some canned breadfruit or breadfruit flour. I've scoured the internet til my fingers were bloody. Please help!

[leela baikadi]

now the frozen breadfruit is available in indian grocery stores. good luck.

[Mr Taster]

Thanks for the suggestions... anyone have any savory breadfruit stew recipes?

Mr Taster

[MaspethMaven]

You can use it to make fritters, much like you would make tostones from green plantains. Cut the breadfruit into two inch pieces, (no skin or seeds), fry once, and when it starts to float, remove from oil to drain. Flatten with a mallet or tostonera, then fry again until golden brown and crisp. Serve with mojo or ajili mojili as a dipping sauce.

[jimtak]

Steam it with a little butter. It is definitely tropical, a hint of banana, sweet, and creamy mouthfeel. Wish it were more readily available.

[ghbrooklyn]

I've seen it stewed with saltcod, and I've had it stewed with chicken legs. I remember it being very good, but I didn't make it so I'm not sure what to tell you.
I did find a breadfruit or "ulu" cookbook website that says to treat the ripe fruit like yam, sweetpotato, pumpkin or chestnut. Maybe a spicy roasted breadfruit puree as a side, or candied breadfruit, or creamy breadfruit soup?
good luck and let me know what you do with it.

[bolivianita]

I am sorry That I can't help with this one, but I am intersted to know what you end up doing with it.