To this day, I distinctly remember the wonderful experience of tasting this starchy fruit for the first time. It had a tender starchy texture with a sweet flavor. Even though the breadfruit is a fruit, it is; however, served like a potato due to its high starch content. Boiling the breadfruit is the most common cooking method but it is also fried (tostones) and baked (flan).
I moved to Puerto Rico as a teenager. Every three months, I would visit my uncles in the “Barrio de Candelero” in Humacao, Puerto Rico. When it was time to return home (City of Humacao), my uncle would give me a bag full of breadfruits, mangos and avocados. As of today, I can still eat breadfruit everyday. It is definitely one of my favorite Puerto Rican meals.
I purchase large quantities of breadfruit during the summer in Northwest Indiana. Once they are peeled and cut into wedges, I vacuum seal the breadfruits and place them in the freezer for future use.
What is a Breadfruit!
The breadfruit is usually oval in shape and 6 to 8 inches long. The skin color is light green with an irregular polygon pattern. However, when the fruit ripens, it will have some red brown areas. The flesh is starchy with a white or creamy color. It has a unique aromatic fragrance. The breadfruit originated in the South Pacific and is cultivated in the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The official Spanish term for Breadfruit is Panapén. However, we tend to use the shorter version – Panas – when referring to the breadfruit.
How to Cut and Peel the Breadfruit!
Cut the breadfruit in half lengthwise.
Cut each half into four (4) equal wedges lengthwise. The breadfruit should yield 8 wedges.
Remove approximately 1 to ½-inch of flesh from the top of each breadfruit wedge.
Peel each breadfruit wedge by inserting a knife between the skin and flesh. Continue this process for the remaining breadfruit wedges.
We are finished preparing a whole breadfruit. The breadfruit will yield 8 wedges.
Breadfruit Recipes!
In the recipe section of my food blogging website, you will find many delicious breadfruit recipes that are simple and easy to prepare! For recipes, click on the category Root Vegetables and Starchy Fruits as well as Fritters.
6 Comments. Leave new
Great recipes.
Hi Jo, Thank you very much. I will be posting many more recipes soon!
Where do you buy?
Hi Phillip,
Breadfruits are purchased in the Latin Markets in the United States. I would recommend to google “where to purchase breadfruits in your area.” However, if you travel to the Caribbean, you will find plenty of breadfruits especially during the summer season.
How do you get the sticky sap off your knives and mandolin?
Hola, I just use hot water, Dawn (dishwashing liquid) and a dish scrubber or brush. I apply the dishwashing liquid directly to the spots that are sticky and scrub the area with a dish scrubber or brush before rinsing with hot water.