Even when they're young, they're prickly.
A ripe jackfruit is a sweet thing, for all its size; it makes a nice smoothie, too. When still green, like this two-pounder from Patel's ($1.99 per pound), it can be skinned, cored, then boiled (alone or in a stew) for use in any number of recipes. At this stage, the seeds, sheathes, and pith are all edible, but young jackfruit is better as a vehicle for spices, since it has little flavor of its own. A few other selections from the Patel's produce bins are also shown below.
If you're simply looking for a nibble, however, you'll find plenty of choices. Bikaji brand mastkin (400 g.; $2.49) is a blend of corn flakes plus potato sticks, cashews, a host of spices, and the occasional golden raisin (though more raisins would have been welcome). Chandan brand tulsi vati (70 g.; $1.99), a mouth freshener that identified itself as "basil tablets," smacked of black pepper, too. And the freezer case up front offers ice cream in chikoo, thandai, rose, fig, pista kulfi, and a half-dozen other flavors; just be sure you hurry home.
Patel Brothers
37-27 74th St. (37th Rd.-Roosevelt Ave.), Jackson Heights, Queens
718-898-3445
Also 42-92 Main St., Flushing, Queens
718-661-1112
