Spicy BBQ Jackfruit

• 2 20-ounce cans young green jackfruit in water or brine
• 2 tbsp oil
• ¼ white onion, diced
• ¾ cup bbq sauce, plus more for topping
• 4 pineapple rings, sliced ¼ inch (cored)
• 4 buns (toasted or grilled)
• ½ red onion sliced

BBQ Spice Blend

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Directions

1. If jackfruit is in water, drain, thoroughly dry, move to step 2. If jackfruit is in brine, rinse, dry with clean towel.
2. Remove core, hard parts, dense portions, seed like portions of jackfruit.
3. With your hands or a fork, string/pull jackfruit apart. Set aside
4. Mix the BBQ spice blend in a separate bowl. Add brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cayenne. Then add to jackfruit and toss thoroughly to combine. In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Add oil to hot skillet, sauté onion until slightly translucent. Add jackfruit for 5 minutes.
6. Add bbq sauce and enough water to thin the mixture into a sauce (about ¼ cup)
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavor has permeated the jackfruit. Add more BBQ sauce and/or water as needed.
8. In the meantime, grill or sauce pineapple until slightly caramelized.
9. To serve, add grilled pineapple to bun. Top with BBQ jackfruit. Serve with additional sauce and desired vegetables.