When we first moved to this property we were puzzled by the large tree that produced enormous fruit on it. No one seemed to know what it is. After asking around we found out that it is JACK FRUIT and it isn't native to Roatan. It is grown mainly in Thailand, India and Africa. Bob sliced one open once and it was mostly full of white seeds and a goozy, messy white sappy substance.
We heard it wasn't edible so we basically just cut the fruit down before it could fall on someone's head and knock them out.
Bob, bless his heart decided to do some research and found out they were edible so we have been waiting for it to ripen up.
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| carlos climbed up and got it for us! |
Jack fruit can grow up as big as 80 lbs. (yes you read that right)
but the one Bob is cutting open is about 20 lbs.
Because it was ripe there wasn't alot of the white gooey stuff but we still put oil on our hands and all knives (recommended on the internet) to make clean up easier
Because this one is so ripe, the center part needed to be cut out and all the seeds needed to be squeezed out of the pieces of delicious sweet yellow fruit. Believe me it took us a LONG time to clean out this fruit but it was worth it since Jack fruit tastes like banana but sweeter!
Here is a good cross section of the fruit:
the yellow part is the fruit that is edible
Apparently the seeds can be roasted.
I tried to roast them but I think they were too big as they were very woody and tough.
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| Bob is enjoying the ripe Jack fruit |
I just took some Jack Fruit Bread out of the oven
and it is delicious!
Tasted just like banana bread!
I am so excited to discover that it is edible as now we can share with others!
Here are some recipes if you want to try it.
Apparently you can buy jack fruit in a can in specialty stores if you want to try it
This past week we have had so many 'tropical experiences'
I played with a monkey, we tackled the enormous jack fruit,
my orchid came into full bloom and her fragrance fills the house at night,
our garden was threatened by cutter ants,
the crabs are burrowing holes throughout the garden, and in the night
Moto, our dog, barks his fool head off,
we discovered a huge termite nest in the cashew tree.
Such is life living in the jungle but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!
On a personal note, we haven't been as busy at the shop but it is a nice change
as we have more time for visiting, sharing and praying with the locals.
I am in the process of starting up another bible study and Bob is going to be
training the Leaders at the French Harbour church.
Someone said to me the other day:
so is it getting old living on this island?
I say: no not at all!!
We daily thank Him for the changes to serve and live amongst these wonderful
people.
