Jackfruit Aviyal / Chakka Aviyal

Jackfruit is of tropical origin. It is the largest tree-borne fruit.  With the exception  of its spiky exterior,every part of this fruit is edible. At the tender stage it can be cooked into tasty side dishes. When the fruit matures further, it can still be used to prepare side dishes and can also be used to make chips. The best is when the fruit ripens, the jack fruit flesh is very sweet and it has a distinctive aroma. The sweet flesh can be consumed as it is or can be cooked into various sweet dishes. The seeds of the jackfruit are also edible. Check my recipe for *Fried Jackfruit Seeds. Seeds when consumed directly prevents constipation. Good for skin.

The raw jackfruit contains lots of vitamin A and vitamin C. It is a source of dietary fiber,potassium, iron and magnesium which helps in the absorption of calcium. Antioxidants in it can prevent cancer, especially colon cancer.

Raw Jackfruit has low glycemic index. Cooked Jackfruit dish should be consumed as main dish, once a day by diabetics along with a side dish rich in protein. It brings down and gradually normalizes blood sugar, if consumed daily. 

In jackfruit aviyal, all parts of the fruit can be used except the green spiky exterior. A few seeds can be used in the aviyal, not all seeds. Seeds can be boiled or cooked under burning embers or fried. 

Preparation: 

• Slice away the spiky exterior of the jackfruit. The fleshy portion just below the skin, the fleshy portion of the bulb, the spongy center portion and 4 or 5 de-skinned seeds are needed for aviyal. Cut all the above in the shape of finger chips. If you like you can add a drumstick. Scrape the drumstick,cut into 3 inch pieces and halve each piece.
• Pressure cook the jackfruit pieces and drumstick pieces along with a quarter cup of water and quarter teaspoon turmeric powder for 2 whistles. Remove from fire and set aside to cool. 
• Grind the coconut, cumin seeds, turmeric powder and green chilly into a not too fine mixture. Do not grind to a paste. 
• Transfer the contents of the pressure cooker into a pan. Add the coconut mixture and salt to taste. Add a few curry leaves. Add 2 - 3 table spoon water if needed. Mix well and cook on medium flame until all the water is gone. Remove from fire. Add 3 teaspoons of coconut oil and mix lightly. 
• Serve with rice. 

Ingredients: 

Cut Jack fruit pieces - 2 cups 

Drumstick - 1 small 

Coconut - I cup (grated) 

Cumin seeds - 3 pinches 

Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon 

Green chilly - 2 

Salt to taste 

Coconut oil - 3 teaspoon ( add more if you like the taste.) 

Curry leaves - a few. 

*Link to Fried Jackfruit seeds:

http://ashasnairrajesh.blogspot.com/2015/04/fried-jackfruit-seeds.html

Green banana curry

Raw or Green banana contains Resistant Starch which does not breakdown like regular starch, so it passes through the intestines like insoluble fiber. Resistant starch and high fiber increases satiety and thus low consumption. Increases the rate of fat burning.Good for dieters and diabetics. Resistant starch is food for the good probiotic bacteria in the intestine. So bananas can prevent diarrhea and reduce the risk of colon cancer. It helps in the absorption of nutrients, especially calcium. Raw and ripe bananas contain Vitamins B6 ,C and potassium. 

Preparation: 

• Wash and peel the banana lightly. Chop the banana into half inch cubes. 
• In a pan take one cup of water, add the banana pieces, cover and cook on medium flame. When half cooked add half teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook till done. Remove from fire. Mash the cooked bananas lightly. 
• Grind the grated coconut, cumin seeds, turmeric and red chilly powders into a fine paste, add little water while grinding. 
• Add the ground paste to the lightly mashed bananas along with a cup of water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Adjust the salt. If the gravy is too thick, add little more water and boil. Remove from flame. 
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When it starts spluttering, add the chopped shallots, broken green chillies and the curry leaves. Fry for a minute and pour over the curry. 

Ingredients:  

Raw(Green) Banana/ plantain - 1 
Grated coconut - 3/4 cup 
Cumin seeds - 2 pinches 
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon 
Red chilly powder - 1/2 teaspoon 

for seasoning: 
shallots (chopped) - 2 
Whole dry red chilly - 2 
Mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon 
Curry leaves - a few 
Oil - 2 teaspoon