Can't Believe It's Not Chicken Tacos (Jackfruit)

When my daughter first told me about this, I was seriously skeptical - I mean SERIOUSLY. To think that this big, ugly super-sweet fruit -- when green -- could be turned into savory vegan tacos!?
Jackfruit has two very different personalities; when young and green it can be used for savory dishes as it has a very meat-like texture and little-to-no flavor of its own, however, when it's ripe, it's a whole different story-it's super sweet and perfect for dessert dishes...but NOT tacos!! Luckily for me, my local Asian specialty market has canned green jackfruit, which makes it SO much easier! If you don't have a local source for the jackfruit, try Amazon (http://amzn.to/2nbFzQW), but be SURE to get the young green in water, not the ripe in syrup.

Jackfruit Tacos Shopping List

2 Cans Green Jackfruit
Tortillas (or make your own)
Oil (I use coconut)
Agave
1 Lime
Bragg's Liquid (or Tamari or Soy Sauce)
Liquid Smoke
Cider Vinegar (with the mother)
Nutritional Yeast
Ground Coriander
Ground Paprika
Dried Oregano
Ground Cumin
Ground Cayenne Pepper
Fresh taco toppings (cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro)

Recipe Jackfruit Tacos

Open/Drain the 2 Cans Green Jackfruit then press the jackfruit between a couple of kitchen towels or paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible. Tear the pieces of jackfruit apart and place in a bowl. (See? It's already starting to look like shredded chicken or pork!)

Make up the dry seasoning mix in a little bowl so you can sprinkle it on towards the end of the cooking process:

• 2 tsp Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tsp Ground Coriander
• 2 tsp Ground Paprika
• 2 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper (more or less according to taste, this amount has a nice after burn)

In a skillet or wok preheated to medium:

• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil (or your choice of oil)
• All the shredded Jackfruit

Cook the jackfruit until it has browned and dried a bit, this gives it a very meat-like texture, then add:

• The juice from the lime
• 1 Tbsp Agave Nectar (or Honey or Maple Syrup)
• 2 Tbsp Bragg's Liquid (or Tamari or Soy Sauce)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp Liquid Smoke (I prefer a bit more, but some only like a hint of it)
• 1 Tbsp Bragg's Cider Vinegar
• Dry seasoning mix (above)

Continue cooking the jackfruit until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

This is where you can go wrong--don't take it off the heat until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the jackfruit looks a little dry on the edges and the sugars have caramelized. This ensures that the jackfruit has absorbed all of the flavors of the ingredients and that it now has a texture similar to pulled pork or chicken. In all, it takes 25-30 minutes on the stovetop. You won't be sorry. Your patience will pay off with AWESOME tacos that no-one will believe are meat-free!

These are great with flour or corn tortillas. Serve with fresh toppings like shredded cabbage, tomatoes, avocado and maybe a little Spanish rice on the side?