When you roast this unique starchy fruit it turns into a slightly sweet and tender treat.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Morris Time Cooking | 2017-11-13 14:19:40 |  76,386 Views |
Jamaican Oven Roasted and Baked Breadfruit | Lesson #69 | Morris Time Cooking
Serious Mealtimes / Karina Matalon
Roasted breadfruit is a favorite among Jamaicans. If you’re not familiar with this unique starchy fruit it’s high time you do. Breadfruit is actually a type of flowering tree in the mulberry family. Its name comes from the texture of the cooked interior of the fruit which resembles freshly baked bread. In the late 18th century the search for cheap energy-rich food sources for slaves and indentured laborers led colonial administrators and plantation owners to call for the introduction of this starchy plant to the Caribbean. And so it was that the infamous Captain Bligh of the Bounty led an expedition to Tahiti to among other things collect living breadfruit plants and transport them to Jamaica in the West Indies. In 1793 Captain Bligh introduced approximately 347 breadfruit specimens to Jamaica which were planted throughout the island. As a result breadfruit trees are now abundant in Jamaica and many people pick them straight from the trees growing wild along the side of the road or in their own backyards.
Breadfruit is typically roasted directly over charcoal embers in a charcoal pot or on a drumpan charcoal grill. In this way the starchy fruit is cooked until the skin is charred and black. While the outside is blackening the inside steams and becomes soft and doughy like bread. The charred outside is then removed and the inside piping hot slightly sweet and subtly creamy is coated with butter and salt. Recognizing that roasting over live coals is a unique trait of breadfruit we have provided instructions for roasting live coals at home but we have also included instructions for roasting on a gas grill or in your oven. With or without a charcoal grill you can enjoy this unique fruit at home.
