Jackfruit sweets carry forward the legacy of Bengal’s ‘sandesh’
Sandesh made of Jackfruit seeds
Jackfruit is one of those exotic fruits that often draw mixed reviews from people due to its strong aroma. While some love it for its distinctive, musky smell, others simply mark it as pungent. Despite the controversies, one cannot ignore the numerous nutritious values that a jackfruit contains. It is at once heart-healthy, helps to fight inflammation and is a great substitute to meat. It is also a healthy source of vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B6, and antioxidants.
What’s fascinating about jackfruits is that it undergoes a huge difference in taste considering the phases of ripening. While the unripened jackfruit is used to make different types of Bengali curries, the completely ripened one is savoured as a fruit! One can even put the seeds of the ripened jackfruit in several curries as it has a nut-like taste and texture. But that’s not all! Bengal now is using jackfruit seeds to curate scrumptious sweets out of it. You can procure these sweets from shops or can easily make it at home too. Here goes the recipe of this jackfruit delicacy.
Jackfruit seeds - a wealth of vital nutrients
Ingredients:
1. Sun dried jackfruit seed (boiled)
2. Milk powder
3. Sugar
4. Ghee
5. Cardamom powder
6. Water as required
7. Dry fruits
8. Grated coconut
Also read : How is Bengal's Jackfruit good for you?
Recipe:
1. Boil the jackfruit seeds in the pressure cooker for 10 minutes, cool it, remove the outer white covering of the seeds as well as the brown coat. Smash the boiled seeds and mix with milk powder.
2. Take a teaspoon of ghee in a non-stick pan or kadhai, add the smashed jackfruit seeds and sugar according to taste (avoid sugar for diabetic patients). Cook for ten minutes.
3. Whenever the cooked mixture starts gaining a sticky consistency, take it out of the kadhai or pan, and switch off the gas. Add a pinch of cardamom powder and crushed dry fruits and mix well.
4. Divide the mixture into small portions and shape it like Shondesh (square or round sweets). Garnish them with dry fruits or grated coconut. This easily digestible Shondesh can be kept in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
19.05% of the total cultivation of jackfruits in India is done in West Bengal. Regular studies and tests suggest that jackfruit seeds may help reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. When eaten regularly as part of a varied diet, the vitamins and minerals in jackfruit can help enhance immunity, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, aid in osteoporosis prevention, and improve digestion. The high amounts of vitamin C in jackfruit may help protect your skin from sun damage.
