01/05/2024
THE YORUBA FOOD CALLED JALOKE OR GBERE.
The African Breadfruit is a species of flowering tree in the jackfruit family. It is called Jaloke in Yoruba language. Its name is derived from the texture of the moderately ripe fruit when cooked, similar to freshly baked bread and having a potato-like flavour. When the fruit ripens, it becomes sweet. The leaves also have medicinal properties.
It has a very high nutritional value and can be eaten in different ways. It can even be processed into breadfruit flour, the Yorubas often make it into a porridge or pottage, or boil and pound it like yam into 'Iyan jaaloke' and eaten with various soups. It can also be fried or roasted and eaten as a snack.