Enjoy The Delicious Taste of Breadfruit Fry

Breadfruit fry is a typical Goan breadfruit dish in which breadfruit is cut, seasoned with spice powders, layered in rava, and cooked in a pan on the stovetop. Goan cuisine includes a variety of side dishes like this breadfruit fried. In the summer, breadfruit, also called neerpanas or neer phanas, may be found for purchase. If you’re from Karnataka, you’ll know this dish as jeev kadgi phodi or jeev kadgi podi among the Konkani people.

What Is A Breadfruit?

The jackfruit and mulberry family includes the blooming breadfruit tree, known as Artocarpus altilis. It looks like jackfruit, but it’s oval-shaped, smaller, and less spiky than a jackfruit. Breadfruit is widely available along India’s west coast, particularly in the Konkan region, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala states. It takes on the aroma and flavor of warm, freshly baked bread after it’s through cooking. As a result, it’s called breadfruit.

Other names for breadfruit include Neer Phanas in Konkani, Bakri-chajhar in Hindi, and Gujjekai in the Kannada language. Konkani speakers in the state of Karnataka refer to it as ‘Jeev Kadgi.’

Breadfruit has several health advantages. Minerals and Vitamins are seen in abundance in this food, as well as antioxidants. It helps reduce cholesterol, prevents infection, and maintains a youthful appearance. As an outcome of its high fiber content, it is also suitable for people with diabetes.

Breadfruit — Vegetable or Fruit?

Though technically a fruit, breadfruit is mostly consumed as a vegetable. It can’t be eaten uncooked like other fruits. A variety of cooking methods are available to prepare it. On the other hand, breadfruit is typically fried or utilized in traditional Indian dishes near the coast.

Breadfruit Vs. Jackfruit: Understanding The Difference

Breadfruit and jackfruit are often mistaken for one other. There are two different fruits despite their resemblance in appearance. From the inside, breadfruit and jackfruit seem quite different.

Breadfruit is a vegetable, but jackfruit is a fruit. The inside of breadfruit is starchy, with a cream to yellow consistency comparable to that of a potato. Additionally, the outer skin of jackfruit is covered with spikes, while the skin of breadfruit may or may not be spiked. On the other hand, the golden bulbs of the jackfruit may be eaten uncooked.

Tips For Preparing The Breadfruit Fry

Even though breadfruit fry is a simple dish, a few recommendations will help you get the best results. To begin, choose ripe breadfruit for fritters. Unripe breadfruit has an unpleasant flavor. It’s best to slice breadfruit into medium-thick slices. It should not be overly thick or too thin.

• Hing – Avoid omitting asafoetida (hing). It provides an enticing flavor and aroma. Additionally, breadfruit is a naturally flatulent fruit. Thus, hing aids in the digestion of breadfruit.

• Rice Flour: Breadfruit doesn’t contain gluten. Rice flour (rava) may be used in place of semolina if you’re on a gluten-free diet. However, the use of rava gives the fritters a crisp and crunchy texture.

• Oil – Taste, and aroma are enhanced with coconut oil. However, any other oil, such as sunflower oil, will work.

• Salt: People like to use local sea salt (gavthi meeth) since it imparts a real flavor and aroma. If using this salt, grind it to a powder in a mortar and pestle before using. Measurements are for medium-sized breadfruit in terms of salt and spice. Measurements may be altered to suit your needs.

• Water sprinkling: People usually avoid sprinkling water over the breadfruit pieces since the rava absorbs the moisture, resulting in mushy fritters. However, the breadfruit will sometimes refuse to cook. This may occur if the breadfruit is not fully ripe and mature. Additionally, many types need more time to cook. Splash a few drops of water on top to expedite cooking in this case.

• Cast-Iron Griddle: The appropriate amount of heat is required while frying breadfruit. To fry, cast iron is ideal since the temperature doesn’t change. As the heat disperses, it becomes evenly heated. Fritters made with ripe breadfruit do not burn and brown evenly. An iron tawa may be used in its place. It’s best not to use a nonstick frying pan.

Ingredients Needed To Make Breadfruit Fry

For deep-frying:

1/2 neerpanas/jeevkadgi/breadfruit

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon powdered turmeric

1/4 tsp of salt

2 teaspoon frying oil

To make the coating:

1/2 cup rava or semolina

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp of salt

Instructions To Follow While Making Breadfruit Fry

• Cut the breadfruit in half after cleaning and rinsing it. Afterward, divide the two halves into four equal halves. Remove the center core of the breadfruit by using a peeler or knife to peel it. After that, slice the breadfruit.
• Make sure you coat the breadfruit slices with chili powder and turmeric before leaving them for 5-10 minutes so they can absorb the spices. (For the amount, see the ingredients part under “for the coating”).
• Add salt and turmeric powder to a small bowl and stir until well combined. Set away. Quantity may be found under ingredients in the “for frying” section).

• Spread the rava over the sliced breadfruit.
• Put 1 tablespoon of oil into a frying pan and then heat it.
• Each slice should be placed on the pan one at a time.
• On top of the rava-coated breadfruit, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Cook under a lid and keep an eye on it.
• When the breadfruit slices are halfway done cooking, sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of water by hand, then cover and simmer for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
• Fry for another 10 minutes on the opposite side after the first 10 minutes.
• Poke the breadfruit in the middle with a knife or spoon to see whether it’s done. As long as it’s easily cut, it’s done.

Suggestions To Follow While Making Breadfruit Fry

• The remaining breadfruit slices may be salted and kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. To prepare for usage, apply chili paste and then fry it.

• Slices should not be crammed into the pan. They won’t cook evenly because they’ll cling together.

• Remove the fritters from the pan as soon as the outside is crispy if you prefer fritters with a soft & creamy feel.

• It will become black quickly and stay undercooked within if the oil is too hot; on the other side, if the oil is too cold, it will absorb extra oil.

Nutrition Value of Breadfruit Fry

• Calories: 189
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Sodium; 78mg
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g
• Protein: 1g

FAQs About Breadfruit Fry

Conclusion

While Breadfruit is not that popular, its fried version is extremely delicious and a true delicacy in Goa.  We hope you enjoy making this dish with our comprehensive recipe. For more information about popular recipes, keep reading Seema.