Crowds throng jackfruit festival in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - Hypermarket general manager Raji O. Sreedharan said the opening day was a sell-out and many had ordered for the various products on offer.

Now this fruit is no ordinary fruit as it has managed to be a major crowd puller (mainly Indian expats) to LuLu Hypermarket in Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, where the Jackfruit Festival is being held.
For the Indian expat population the festival is not only a celebration of taste but also the very smell of this tropical fruit makes them nostaligic.
Hypermarket general manager Raji O. Sreedharan said the opening day was a sell-out and many had ordered for the various products on offer.
There are as many as 20 varieties of the fruit displayed at the festival such as jackfruit pradaman, thoran, mezhukkuvaratty, ada, kozhukketa, chutney, seed thoran, spring roll, pulao, pidi, kesari and puzhukku. Then there are roasted seed, combination with coconut burfi. Seed and non-vegetarian combinations are with spinach curry, prawns and fish curry.
"The varieties are from India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Also, there is Thailand honey jackfruit with a unique taste," Sreedharan said.
The customers include locals and those from India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and others. Interestingly, jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh.
"I have never seen so many variations of the same fruit. I am glad something like this is being held here as its a nostalgic feeling, especially with Vishu (Hindu new year festival marked in Kerala) round the corner," said Prasanth Jayaprakash from Kerala.
There are many fans of jackfruit, especially for its health benefits.
"It reduces the risk of developing heart disease. The fruit is rich in vitamins, potassium and iron," said another visitor Ramesh Giri. The four-day festival runs till Saturday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi