Halloween is fast approaching and if you are a fan of this fun holiday, you’re in for a treat (not a trick). My friend Kathy has written a new cookbook full of fun, vegan Halloween food. Her blog Healthy Slow Cooking is full of healthy options and is my “go to” source for vegan recipes. Whether you follow a vegan diet or not, there is something that everyone can enjoy.

I wanted to share this recipe with you because jackfruit is probably a fairly unfamiliar ingredient to most people. I find it at my local Asian market. Sometimes they sell the whole fruit, but more often it’s cut into pieces.

A whole fruit can weigh as much as a small child, so getting a piece at the market is a much better option! The best option when you don’t need 40 pounds of jackfruit: canned for convenience.

I love Kathy’s unique spin on this classic recipe. If you are trying to eat less animal protein or you are curious about a vegan diet or you just want to try something new, I would wholeheartedly recommend this and any other recipe by Kathy.

Yield: 4

Swamp Monster Slow Cooker Jackfruit Gumbo

Jackfruit gumbo made in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

For the main gumbo

4 cups water
4 cups sliced okra, fresh or frozen
3 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup minced bell pepper, any color
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can, 20 ounce young green jackfruit in brine, rinsed, seeds removed
2 large vegan sausages, cut into quarters lengthwise and sliced
2 bouillon cubes, vegetable or vegan chicken flavor
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend, see recipe at bottom
3 bay leaves

For finishing

1 cup chopped spinach, kale or other mild green
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper, to taste
more Cajun seasoning blend, to taste

For serving

steamed rice, white, brown or forbidden
hot sauce

Make Your Own Cajun Seasoning Blend

2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons oregano or marjoram
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Instructions

In the morning: Add all the main gumbo ingredients to your 4 quart slow cooker. Cook on low 7 to 9 hours.
15 minutes before serving: Add the greens to a blender with a little water and purée until smooth. Then add salt, pepper and more Cajun seasoning if needed.
Remove bay leaves and serve gumbo topped with the green “swamp” purée and a scoop of rice.
Shred the jackfruit with your hands – it will happen easily as you remove the large seeds.

Notes

This chunky stew is full of okra, tomatoes, vegan sausage and stringy jackfruit. One of my testers, says the soup had “an awesome foamy green effect on top” when she served it immediately, but that the green became less bright after twenty minutes. She highly recommends puréeing the greens into the soup.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 3332mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 15gSugar: 39gProtein: 21g

Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

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