So what is jackfruit anyways? At first glance, the green, almost spiky jackfruit common in Asian cuisines can be quite intimidating. This tropical delicacy—from the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family—is grown on trees like many other fruits, but has a tough, outer capsule. (They can be bigger than your face!) Inside, a white, latex-like core surrounds the yellow bulbs of tender fruit.

Hailed as amazingly nutritious, the fruit is loaded with iron, potassium, and calcium. Grown at low elevations in countries like India, southern China, the Philippines, Kenya, Jamaica, and Uganda, jackfruit is the biggest fruit in the world—reaching weights up to 100 pounds! In comparison, an orange weighs about 0.4 pounds and an apple weighs 0.3 pounds.

Jackfruit can be purchased as a whole fruit or in a can or package ready to cook! Want to know how to cut and prepare jackfruit? Watch here.

Interestingly, while it’s historically known in some areas of the world as a “poor man’s food,” research has shown that it’s not only highly nutritious, but its production is quite sustainable. The exterior pod that contains the bulbs of fruit is resistant to pests, high temperatures, and droughts!

Is jackfruit the food of the future? Maybe, but we’ll leave that for you to decide!

You may have already mastered tofu, mushrooms, and other delicious plant-based products, but now it’s time to explore the mysterious qualities of one of nature’s strangest fruits! We promise, deliciousness awaits. To get you started, here’s eight mouth-watering recipes that capture it’s culinary versatility!

1. Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches