Ginataang Langka Recipe – Have you ever tried jackfruit in a savory dish? Then you should try ginataang langka. Ginataang langka is a traditional Filipino dish that features unripe jackfruit cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with spices. This vegetable stew can be prepared with additional ingredients such as seafood, meat, and other vegetables to enhance its flavors. It is often complemented with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) and can be made spicy with the addition of chilis or tangy by using vinegar. For a vegan or vegetarian version, the meat and seafood can be omitted, and mushrooms can be used as a substitute for shrimp paste or fish sauce.
Ginataang langka is a popular example of the broader category of ginataan dishes in Filipino cuisine. Other ginataan dishes you may be interested in knowing include ginataang isda and ginataang gulay. If you want to try out the jackfruit dish yourself, you can test out this Ginataang Langka recipe:
Ginataang Langka
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 ginger (thumb-sized piece and julienned)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium-sized onion (chopped)
- ¾ cup dried anchovies
- 600 grams unripe jackfruit
- 1 ½ cups water
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 pinch salt (to taste)
- 2 pieces green chilies
Instructions
- Heat a large pan or wok over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Saute the ginger, onion, and garlic until they become aromatic and release a delightful scent.
- Add the dried anchovies to the pan and cook them until they turn brown and crispy, adding a crunchy texture to your dish.
- Now it’s time to introduce the star of the show – the unripe jackfruit. Add the 600 grams of jackfruit slices to the pan and give everything a good stir. Pour in 1 ½ cups of water, mix well, and cover the pan with a lid. Allow it to simmer gently until the jackfruit slices become tender and almost melt in your mouth.
- Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon of ground pepper and add salt to taste. Then, pour in the can of coconut cream, making sure every piece of jackfruit is generously coated with the creamy goodness. Cover the pan again with the lid and continue simmering until the jackfruit reaches the desired tenderness. Remember to give it a gentle stir from time to time to make sure the flavors blend perfectly.
- Once the jackfruit is tender, it’s time to unleash a bit of spiciness. Remove the lid and let the sauce thicken to your liking. Then, add the 2 pieces of green chilies to add a mild kick of heat. Let it cook for another minute to infuse the flavors, and then remove the pan from the heat.
- Serve this delectable jackfruit curry with a side of rice or your favorite bread. Enjoy the amazing flavors and the heartwarming experience of this friendly dish!
Other Notes on a Ginataang Langka Recipe
There are different things to know about this recipe aside from what is written above. When preparing raw jackfruit, it is important to avoid overcooking it to preserve its meat-like texture. The jackfruit should be cooked until it is fork-tender but not mushy. If fresh unripe jackfruit is not available, you can substitute with frozen or canned green jackfruit, but remember to reduce the water in the recipe to 1 cup. For a smooth sauce, use coconut cream at room temperature and simmer it instead of boiling to prevent curdling. If you prefer a spicier dish, you can open the green chilis or use red chili peppers. Alternatively, omit the chilis for a milder, kid-friendly version.
If you want to try other stew recipes, try our Ginisang Munggo Recipe and Pinakbet Recipe. There are also stew dishes starring vegetables such as Gising Gising to try for a kick. Aside from this, you can also try out our Hot Honey Carrots Recipe for something different. Otherwise, you can try out sweet recipes like our Ginataang Mais Recipe and Gintaang Munggo Recipe.