When you crave a sandwich you can really sink your teeth into, whip up a batch of jackfruit pulled pork. It's easy to make using green or young canned jackfruit. (Ripe or fresh jackfruit won't work here. It's much too sweet.) Load it up on a bun and finish with your choice of toppings.Serves 2 to 3, depending on how high you pile your sandwiches
Drain canned green or young jackfruit in a colander. Rinse well with water.
Move the jackfruit to a clean, dry kitchen towel. Dry the jackfruit with a towel, wrap it like a Tootsie roll, and fully wring it dry until all of the water/brine comes out.
Move the dried off jackfruit to a food processor. Pulse several times until it's fully broken up and shredded. *(All parts of the canned jackfruit are edible - including any pods or firmer pieces. The food processor completely breaks those up, so that they're easy and pleasant to chew. If you don't have a food processor, just chop the jackfruit with a knife.)
Bring a large non-stick skillet to a medium heat with one teaspoon of oil. Spread the jackfruit across the skillet. Allow it to brown for about 4 minutes, being careful only to move it once it has browned on one side.
Move the jackfruit to one side of the skillet. Then put the remaining teaspoon of oil on the empty side of the skillet. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Saute for a minute or two, until fragrant. Then incorporate it with the jackfruit using a spatula.
Now it's time to season the jackfruit. Add cumin, ancho chili powder, coriander, and salt. Fully incorporate it with the jackfruit, and cook about a minute. Then add tahini. It makes the jackfruit stickier like pulled pork, and adds protein & fat.
Pour ¼ cup of barbecue sauce on the jackfruit mixture, and fully incorporate it. If you'd like a saucier sandwich, add more barbecue sauce to suit your tastes. Cook a minute or two longer, until the barbecue sauce is warm.
Put the barbecued jackfruit on warmed burger buns, along with a drizzle of barbecue sauce, and your choice of toppings. Mustard, vegan mayo, vegan ranch dressing, pickles, and/or vegan coleslaw are especially nice.
Notes
How to make it without a food processor*If you don't have a food processor, that's not an issue. After you wring out the jackfruit in a towel, you can either give it a rough chop. Or break it up with your fingers and put it into the warm oiled skillet. As you cook the jackfruit, further break it up with your spatula.Variation ideas:Add a shredded carrot for texture and nutrients. Incorporate one shredded carrot to the jackfruit after the spices. You'll likely need to add more barbecue sauce. Continue cooking it until it has reached your preferred level of softness.If you like a spicier sandwich, add a dash of hot sauce along with the BBQ sauce for heat.If you’re not a fan of tahini, reduce or omit it.How to store & reheatLeftovers will last in the refrigerator for about 4 days in a covered container. Add more barbecue sauce before warming if it looks too dry. Reheat in the microwave or non-stick skillet until warm.