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Jackfruit Veggie Ball Tacos or Subs. Use these “meatballs” anywhere! Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, yeast-free, nut-free recipe.
Jackfruit has been the in thing for a while this year. Shredded young jackfruit, smothered in any thick sauces like bbq, served with the toppings of choice! Jackfruit, also called “Kathal” in hindi has been used in many forms in Indian food. It was already called the vegetarian meat way back when Mom would make a jackfruit based saucy curry. This humble vegetable is getting its due.
I wanted to use jackfruit in some other form, so I made it into these veggie balls! Just 2 main ingredients. Jackfruit and chickpea flour, plus of course loads of spices. Serve these with marinara or other sauces and melt some vegan cheese over it!
Young green jackfruit pieces are boiled in water with some spices to soften and infuse with flavor. Then they are shredded and mixed with roasted chickpea flour, more spices, garlic and ginger and made into balls. These balls can be pan fried or baked. I prefer the pan fried as they stay more moist. I was out of sub sandwiches, so I made these into tacos. These Jackfruit balls made fantastic veggie ball subs, or veggie balls to serve over pasta and more.
More fun recipes from the blog
- Vegan Tinga bowl with Hearts of Palm, Chickpeas, Spanish…
- Vegan Mummy Dogs. Veggie Potato Masala Cutlets Recipe
- Pulled Butternut Squash Tacos. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe
Oh yes “meatballs”. The most often searched term even if searching for veggie version is “veggie meatball” not veggie ball. These certain terms have to be used to get people to the post. So everyone vegan or not can find a veggie ball recipe! Meat doesn’t mean animal. Its a term also used for any internal stuff of other things, like coconut meat.
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Meanwhile, we continue with the regular post of these fantastic jackfruit balls.
Jackfruit Meatballs Tacos
Ingredients
For the jackfruit:
- 20 oz can jackfruit, drained (green jackfruit in brine), or about 2 cups pelled chopped green jackfruit
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Veggie balls:
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 1 hot green chili, finely chopped or use cayenne to taste
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/3 to 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp finely chopped mint, optional or cilantro, or use 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi)
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1.5 tbsp garlic paste , or crushed garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger paste , or grated ginger
- 1 tsp oil + more as needed
Instructions
- For the jackfruit: Combine all the ingredients (jackfruit + water + spices) in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. about 6 minutes. Cook for another 6 to 7 minutes. Total 14 minutes.
- Cool slightly, drain and keep aside.
- For the Veggie Balls: Meanwhile, dry roast 1 cup of chickpea flour in a large skillet over medium low heat. Stir every 2 minutes. about 7 to 8 minutes. or dry roast over medium heat and stir every 30 seconds to avoid burning. 4 to 5 minutes. The flour should start to smell nutty and change color slightly. Keep aside.
- Using a fork or a food processor shred the boiled and drained jackfruit. Add the spices, ginger, garlic, oil and mix well. Add 3/4 cup chickpea flour and mix well. Add a tbsp flour at a time until the mixture starts to come together, not too sticky, but also not dry. Oil your hands and Shape the mixture by pressing lightly into 1 inch balls.
- To pan fry, add 1 to 2 tsp oil in a skillet and heat over medium high heat. When hot, add the jackfruit balls and pan fry for 1-2 minutes on all sides. (total 6 to 7 minutes).
- To Bake: Preheat the oven to 410 degrees F / 210ºc. Place the shaped balls on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush oil on top. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes.
- I like these balls pan-fried. Serve with marinara and vegan mozzarella in sub sandwich or tacos or over pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We are giving away Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes on this post to 4 people(US only)! To Enter, please leave a comment on the post about your opinion on plastic brushes.
You can buy some to use right now! Use code “veganricha” on brushwithbamboo.com to get 10% off + Free Shipping on your order.
i never even considered the burden of plastic toothbrushes before reading your post – thanks for making me conscious of it and aware that there are alternatives.
I would totally love to switch to bamboo brushes! I never even thought of this as being an option but I’d definitely make the effort to do so!
We try to minimize our use of plastic in this house. I never knew there were alternatives to plastic toothbrushes.. how cool!
I have never thought about a toothbrush that way, but now that I have been enlightened, I would love to have a bamboo brush. Every bit counts!
Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway opportunity.
I usually get them for free at the dentist or buy recycled plastic ones.. I just bought a bamboo one and hopefully will like them and make the switch
I never even thought about the sustainability of plastic brushes to be honest!
I have heard so much about jackfruit but have yet to try it. What is the texture like? I never thought about how many toothbrushes must pile up in landfills, and never biodegrade! Thank you for introducing me to Brush with Bamboo…I think I’ll never buy a plastic toothbrush again!
The bamboo brushes are beautiful, and I want one! I have not thought that much about my toothbrushes, just generally using what my dentist gives me, which is, of course, a plastic brush. When I’ve had to buy one, I’ve never seen such an eco-friendly option.
I’ve used plastic toothbrushes for years;I never knew bamboo ones existed . I would like to try them.
Bamboo! Awesome. I buy
recycled plastic toothbrushes but bamboo is better.