Jackfruit Curry Recipe or Kathal Masala Curry or Kathal Ki Sabji is a North Indian style spicy and delicious curry made of tender green jackfruit, onion, tomato, and spices.
I tried cooking this on my own for the first time because I remember eating this almost a decade back. At my grandparent’s village, there were a lot of jackfruit trees in the backyard and my mom used to make delicious jackfruit curry and pakoda. She is a big fan of eating jackfruit, maybe that’s the reason I also love it.
Its delicious and meaty texture is unforgettable, I still remembered its flavor. So I called my mommy for the recipe and since then I have been making this twice in a week fearing it will soon be over for the season. Kathal is a seasonal fruit and is available during the months of the summer season in India.
Kathal made with bhuna masala and some Indian spices taste heavenly. I like to add Meat masala in this curry to take it to next level and believe me it will become your all-time favorite curry.
Jackfruit has become a well-known vegan meat substitute because of its meaty texture and there are plenty of delicious jackfruit recipes like Jackfruit Biryani, Jackfruit Dry Veg, Jackfruit Curry, Jackfruit Pakoda (fritters), Jackfruit pickle, etc.
Tender jackfruit is a vegetable that is very low in calories and is packed with fiber and minerals. Because of its high fiber content, it makes a great diabetic friendly dish. The seed of the jackfruit is also protein-rich and makes a great dish on its own.
Not a lot of people like cooking this because its a tough task to peel and cut this vegetable. The skin is tough and hard and secrets a starchy liquid when cut. It sticks to your hands and makes it all messy. But thanks to mommy’s effective tips on peeling and chopping it, that I am able to enjoy eating Kathal ki Sabji.
Here we bring you a Kathal or Jackfruit Curry Recipe that’s not only quick but, can be easily made at home. You can serve spicy flavorful Jackfruit Curry with roti or rice.
You may also try other similar recipes as:
- Jackfruit Biryani
- Jackfruit Dry Veg
- Chicken Curry
- Arbi Curry
- Egg Curry
- Drumstick Curry
- Lauki Kofta Curry
- Punjabi chole Masala
Level: Intermediate(Medium) ∏ Measurement: 1 Cup ≡ 250 ml ≡ 250gm
Ingredients Checklist:
How to make Jackfruit Curry
Step1: To begin making the Jackfruit Curry Recipe, let us first cut the raw jackfruit. Before cutting the jackfruit, grease your hands and the knife with the mustard/vegetable oil. Then cut the jackfruit in half, discard the green skin and start cutting 1-inch pieces.
Step2: In a blending jar, add 1 black cardamom, 1-2 green cardamom, 2 cloves, 2-3 black peppercorn, and 1/2 inch cinnamon stick. Grind them into a coarse powder.
Step3: In the same jar, add roughly chopped 1 medium-size onion, 1 medium-size tomato, 8-10 garlic clove, 2-3 green chili, and 1-inch ginger.
Step4: Now blend it till a smooth paste and set aside. (You can also blend whole spices together with the onion-tomato, but there are chances that big pieces will remain in the puree).
Step5: Heat mustard oil in a kadhai or skillet over medium flame. Once the oil starts fuming, add chopped jackfruit.
Step6: Shallow fry the jackfruit pieces till light brown in color. Once done transfer it to a plate. Set aside
Step7: Heat the same pan on medium flame. If required add 1-2 tablespoon of mustard oil. Once the oil is hot enough add bay leaf, 1 teaspoon cumin seed, and a pinch of asafoetida. Wait till seeds start crackling on low-medium flame.
Step8: Add finely chopped onion and saute over medium heat till onion turn light brown in color. It will take around 4-5 minutes.
Step9: Once the onions turn light brown add pureed onion-tomato mixture. Saute it for 4-5 minutes on medium flame. Keep stirring.
Step10: Reduce the flame to low and add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and salt as per taste. Keep stirring and saute well until the oil separates on medium-low flame. It will take around 3-4 minutes.
Step11: Now add fried jackfruit. Mix well with the masala and cook for 2-3 minutes on medium flame. Keep stirring.
Step12: Now add around 1.5 cups of water and Stir well. You may adjust the amount of water depending upon the consistency you like.
Step13: Mix it very well.
Step14: Cover the pan and let it boil on a medium flame for 8-10 minutes or until the jackfruit is completely cooked. Alternatively, you may cook them in a pressure cooker for 1-2 whistles to save time.
Step15: Once jackfruit pieces are well cooked and soft add 1/2 teaspoon garam masala along with 1 teaspoon mutton masala powder. Adding Meat masala is optional but I will highly recommend it. It will give a very good flavor to the curry and it will taste like meat/mutton curry. Mix well and cook for 1 minute.
Step16: Turn off the flame and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Check the salt and adjust accordingly.
Step17: Jackfruit Curry or Kathal ki sabji is ready. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot along with roti or rice.
Tips
- Adjust the chili and spices as required.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on factors like you are cooking in an open pot or pressure cooker, the tenderness of the jackfruit, and your personal preference of how much bite you want in the finished dish.
- The raw, unripe jackfruit with tender seeds is best for cooking. The color of the unripe jackfruit should be milky white and not pale yellow.
- The unripe jackfruit pieces should be stored in the fridge (not freezer) in a ziplock bag and consumed in a day or two. After a day or two, it starts ripening and not in the best stage to make sabzi or curry.
- This recipe requires extra oil as compared to the regular curry. Also Using Mustard Oil for making this curry is highly recommended.
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