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Ginataang langka
Ginataang langka: young jackfruit simmered in coconut milk with ginger, garlic and moringa leaves
In Bicol and across the Tagalog provinces, ginataang langka is what happens when a jackfruit tree drops its fruit too early: the unripe flesh is sliced and cooked in coconut milk with plenty of ginger until tender and creamy. Unlike Java's sweet, dark gudeg or Padang's turmeric gulai nangka, it is pale, savoury and peppery, lifted at the end with malunggay (moringa) leaves and a splash of vinegar. Home cooks often add shrimp or pork; this version is vegetable-only. Chef's tip: oil your knife and hands before cutting fresh jackfruit, as its sap is very sticky; tinned young jackfruit avoids the problem altogether.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: If using tins, rinse 1 ¾ lb young green jackfruit well and cut into bite-sized pieces, discarding the hard core. If fresh, peel and cut it the same way, and boil it in salted water for 10 minutes first.
10 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over a medium heat. Fry 1 onion, 5 cloves garlic and 1 ⅝ in ginger for 4 minutes, until soft and golden at the edges.
4 minStep 3: Add the jackfruit and stir for 3 minutes so it takes on the aromatics.
3 minStep 4: Pour in 1 ¾ cups coconut milk and ¾ cup water, add 2 long green chillies, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered over a medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the jackfruit is tender enough to break with a spoon and the sauce is thick and creamy. Common mistake: boiling hard; the coconut milk splits and goes oily before the jackfruit softens.
20 minStep 5: Stir in 1 tbsp cane or white vinegar and simmer 1 minute without stirring, then add 1 handful moringa leaves or baby spinach and cook until just wilted. Serve with rice.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ginataang langka take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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