Jackfruit can be eaten unripe or ripe depending on the recipe you're using, and unripe jackfruit convincingly replicates the taste and texture of meat. While there are some important things you should know if you plan on cooking with jackfruit, the good news is that it's easier than you think.

Fresh jackfruit has a sticky sap that makes it difficult to prepare, but the canned version is much easier — just make sure it says green jackfruit on the label. Green jackfruit was picked before it was ripe, which gives it a good texture and flavor, and all you need to do is rinse it and break or shred the bite-size pieces and seeds for recipes.

For a vegan pulled “pork” recipe, sauté shredded jackfruit with onions in oil, and then put it in a slow cooker and stir in homemade or store-bought barbeque sauce. You can also simmer the jackfruit in spicy, smoky adobo sauce and use it in place of meat in tacos, carnitas, and much more.