Jack of all fruits!

Our home’s own jackfruit tree. The name "Jack fruit" is derived from the Portuguese Jaca, which in turn, is derived from the Malayalam language term, Chakka (Hortus Malabaricus, vol. iii in Latin). The Portuguese first arrived in India at Cochin on the Malabar Coast. In Kerala, mainly two varieties of Jackfruit are found: Varikka and Kuzha. Varikka has slightly hard flesh for the inner fruit when it becomes ripened. Kuzha fruit has very soft, almost dissolving type flesh for the inner fruit on ripening. A sweet preparation called Chakka Varattiyathu is made by seasoning the Varikka fruit flesh pieces in jaggery, which can be preserved and used for many months.