It can be eaten unripe (young) when cooked, or ripe uncooked. The seeds may be boiled or baked like beans. The leaves are used as a wrapping for steamed
Origin:
The jackfruit is believed indigenous to the rain forests of the Western Ghats of India. It spread early on to other parts of India, southeast Asia, the East Indies and ultimately the Philippines. It is often planted in central and eastern Africa and is fairly popular in Brazil and Surinam.

Durian is widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the “king of fruits”, the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species. The flesh can be consumed at various stages of ripeness and the seeds can also be eaten when cooked.

The unusual flavour and odour of the fruit have prompted many people to express diverse and passionate views ranging from deep appreciation to intense disgust.

Durian is a distinctive Asian fruit. The tree reaches a height of 40 meters. Its bark is red-brown and peels off regularly. The trunk is buttressed. Its leaves are oval or lance-head-shaped and arranged alternately. The upper surface is smooth and glossy. The lower part is covered with scales and hairs. The flowers are whitish and greenish white. The fruit is green to brownish in color, shaped like a globe or egg.

Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. Outside of its countries of origin, fresh jackfruit can be found at Asian food markets especially in Philippines. It can be eaten unripe (young) when cooked, or ripe uncooked. The seeds may be boiled or baked like beans. The leaves are used as a wrapping for steamed idlis.

Apple Cake

4 c. apples, peeled and diced
2 eggs
2 c sugar (use 1/2 brown, 1/2 white)
2 1/2 c. flour (sift, then measure)
2 tsp soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c. vegetables oil
1 c. chopped nuts
1 c. raisins
1c. chocolate bits (leave this out)

Procedure:
~ Beat the eggs well and pour over the diced apples.
~ Sift together in a large bowl the sugar, flour, soda, salt and cinnamon.
~ Add the vegetables oil to dry ingredients, mixing well.
~ Stir in the apple and egg mixture. Add nuts, raisins and chocolate bits. Batter will be thick. Mix thoroughly, then pour into well greased “9×13″ pan, bundtpan or tube pan.
~ Bake 1 hour in pre-heated 325 degree oven. No frosting is necessary.

One great thing about living in a place where there is a backyard is you can just grill out and enjoy the weather outside with the whole family. Well, hubby likes to grill and he loves hamburger so, its his turn to fix our dinner. I also slice some pineapple and seedless water mellon for dessert. Enjoy your friday folks and have a happy FTF!

If you find yourself falling ill after eating acidic fruits, vegetables, or other products, you could have a citrus or citric acid allergy. Read on to learn how to identify, manage, and even prevent these reactions.
A Range of Problems
Various types of allergies and intolerances to citrus, citric acid and foods with high acidic properties do exist, but doctors say that they are usually quite rare. As a result, there isn’t a great deal of information readily available about the topics, posing challenges for the people trying to get to the root of their problem, and for doctors who are putting all of the pieces together to make a proper diagnosis.
Citrus Allergy
If you are allergic to citrus fruits, this is actually quite different from having a citric acid allergy, since the allergen is not the acid itself but a protein in the fruits. Citrus fruits can include a range of common fruit items, including clementines, grapefruits, kumquats, oranges, lemons and limes.

If you fall ill after eating acidic foods, a citrus allergy could be to blame.
By Lisa D. Ellis
Reviewed by QualityHealth’s Medical Advisory Board

Top 6 health benefits of Citrus
According to -Dr. Mao
Dr. Maoshing Ni a Yahoo! Health Expert for Alternative Medicine

1. Skin care
Citrus is considered a superfood for healthy skin. Many studies have confirmed the healing properties of oranges, which are attributed to a wide array of phytonutrients that function as antioxidants, including flavanones, anthocyanins, polyphenols, and vitamin C.
2. Bone Health
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. While calcium is necessary to build and maintain bone, vitamin D is needed because the body cannot absorb calcium without it. Although cow’s milk has traditionally been credited as the number-one food for strong bones, studies show that your body is able to absorb both calcium and vitamin D from orange juice as readily as from milk.
3. Heart Protector
Citrus peel contains beneficial compounds such as polymethosxylated flavones (PMFs) and d-limonene that have been found to lower cholesterol, balance blood sugar, and activate liver detoxification.
4. Digestion Power
In Chinese cuisine, orange peel is often served as an accompaniment to red meat. The reason for this is that, according to Chinese medicine, orange peel aids in digestion of rich, fatty foods. One recommendation for better digestion is to start every day with lemon water — using the juice of one lemon squeezed into 12 ounces of room temperature filtered water. This lemon water is slightly acidic, which helps to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines and system. Also, don’t forget one of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water: It can pave the way for weight loss!
5. Eyesight Defender
Cataracts, a degenerative eye disorder that usually shows up as we age, are usually the result of free radical damage. The antioxidants in citrus fruit come to the rescue by neutralizing the damage to the retina caused by these free radicals. In studies it was found that high doses of vitamins E and C worked together to prevent cataracts even in high-risk groups.
6. Mood Enhancer
Most people link oranges to vitamin C, but they are also high in folate. Folate is believed to play a role in the creation of serotonin — the brain’s happy chemical. Even the smell of citrus fruits can enhance your mood. Studies show that the citrus scents, such as lime, lemon, grapefruit, and orange, can lift your mood and increase your energy. Essential oils of these fruits can be dabbed on your temples or at the back of the neck for a burst of alertness.
Enjoy your citrus guys, and have a fun weekend!