April 15, 2007
Ulu
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Note: I’m still having problems uploading photos. You can see my ulu pictures on flikr.
ulu (breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis)
As I was strolling around the neighborhood with my camera, one of the neighbors stopped me to talk. I explained that I was taking picture of some local plants for my blog, and that I was thinking about writing something about ulu. She reminded me that Hawaiians (and other Polynesians who live here) always grow uselful plants first, with ornamentals being an afterthought if space allows. Thus the abundance of papaya, mango, coconut, banana, noni, ti and ulu on the small lots in my neighborhood.
Archeological data and botanical information tell us that ulu spread throughout Micronesia and Polynesia with the migration of the Lapita from eastern Papua New Guinea at least as early as 1000 B.C. They are known to have carried taro, yams, ulu, bananas and sugarcane, all originating in Southeast Asia, to each area they poplulated. All are still found throughout the Pacific islands and greatly valued as food sources. Breadfruit remains a popular item on local tables, usually either baked or boiled. Though bland, as are most starches, it is rarely seasoned with anything more than coconut milk. In some areas it is also prepared as poi, a paste created by pounding and more popularly made with kalo (taro.) There is a pentacostal Samoan church around the corner that sells plate lunches every Saturday. They fire up their grills early in the day and the aroma of roasting pig wafts far and wide, enticing customers to their lanai for outdoor dining. The main dish is always accompanied by greens, ulu, traditional kalo poi and a dessert, usually coconut haupia (a favorite local pudding.)
Mature breadfruit are about ten inches in diameter and weigh seven to ten pounds. The trees bear from about May through November, with, I think, a longer season here on the hot and dry Leeward Coast. I was surprised to find that though I always see plenty of fruit on local trees, Hawaii’s breadfruit trees produce much less abundantly than those grown closer to the equator. The ulu holds an important place in Hawaiian history and legend, dating back to the time of Ku, who turned himself into a breadfruit tree to feed his family in a time of famine. The popularity of the breadfruit leaf in Hawaiian fabric and art reflects a local respect for its sacred nature as well as its beauty.
[tags]breadfruit, ulu, Hawaii, gardening[/tags]
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April 15th, 2007 at 9:40 am, TW Says:
I find breadfruit interesting, particularly when I read books where the mother is advising their daughters to never move into a home without a breadfruit tree because you never know when you might need to eat it.
April 15th, 2007 at 9:53 am, Captain Lifecruiser Says:
Informative stuff really. I’ve never seen an ulu before. Or eaten it.
How does it taste? I’m very curious of me. And a hungry monster
(We certainly don’t have it here in Sweden
April 15th, 2007 at 10:23 am, Gotta Garden Says:
I actually tried some breadfruit many years ago when we lived in Hawaii…think it was for a class I took at UH…if I remember, I thought it tasted kinda like potato (which is not a bad thing!).
Thanks for reminding me of pleasant memories!
April 15th, 2007 at 11:10 am, Reviews and More Says:
Some of these plant names are familiar because they appear frequently in the Mutiny on the Bounty trilogy (which I read years and years ago). I could never quite picture what breadfruit looked like, so thanks for posting your photos!
April 15th, 2007 at 11:40 am, Whim Says:
I have always wanted to try breadfruit.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:32 pm, Tricia Says:
I’ve never tried Ula or Breadfruit. Thanks for showing some photos of the mature plant and it’s fruit. Interesting how it’s prepared and that it’s not really seasoned for taste.
I’ll have to try some someday. I’m always up for trying different things.
BTW adding you to the do follow blogroll now - you are and were first.
April 15th, 2007 at 6:00 pm, Chigiy Says:
I love reading your blog because it is so informative. I love the Hawaiian islands so I feel like I’m there when I’m visiting your blog.
April 16th, 2007 at 2:18 am, Ottawa Gardening Says:
I’ve always been curious about what breadfruit looked like too (and tasted like for that matter). For some reason, the idea of it always appealed to me, maybe it was the combination of the words ‘bread’ and ‘fruit’… It’s also great seeing a place without snow. We’ve a late winter storm here.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pm, Ann Says:
Sometimes the local Walmart has more “exotic” foods and fruits to offer. I wonder if they have breadfruit?
April 17th, 2007 at 9:35 pm, hyphen8 Says:
First off, these photos look fine. In fact they look great! I like the one with the fence - the strong diagonals make a nice contrast with the leaves. Don’t throw your camera out the window!
Second, I’m pretty sure I had breadfruit at a potluck once..baked like sweet potatoes with a layer of mini marshmallows on top. If I remember correctly it was mild, sweet and a little tangy, but I don’t know what else the cook put in that pan!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:09 pm, skeet Says:
TW - Sounds like better advice than “marry a rich man” to me. The rich man could leave, lol!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:13 pm, skeet Says:
Captainlifecruiser, it’s very bland, much like potatoes or rice, just … different!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:18 pm, skeet Says:
Gotta Garden - yeah, somewhat like potatoes, which is not a bad thing at all, lol! Glad you enjoyed the sojourn!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:29 pm, skeet Says:
Whim, I’d ship you some, but the Department of Agriculture would frown on that. I’d hate to be responsible for starting an invasion of little tropical critters on the mainland, lol!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:33 pm, skeet Says:
Tricia, if you have markets in your area that carry exotic produce you may be able to buy some locally. If not, well … vacation in Hawaii?
And you’re a peach! Mahalo for the add!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:40 pm, skeet Says:
Chigiy - I have a collcetion of local literature and reference books. La’au Hawaii is one of my favorites. Sub-title “Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants.” It’s my sourcebook for research before I blog about local plants. :0)
I’m glad you’re feeling the aloha!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:47 pm, skeet Says:
Ottawa Gardening, they’re a bit bizarre looking, but if there’s one thing that gardeners know, it’s that strange-looking things can provide a bounty on the table! “Breadfruit” sounds like a comfort food, doesn’t it?
Hoep the storms have passed and the sun is warming the soil for spring growth!
April 17th, 2007 at 11:52 pm, skeet Says:
Ann, if Walmart doesn’t carry it, try an Asian market. They might have it. Even if they don’t, you’ll find strange and wonderful foods to try.
April 17th, 2007 at 11:58 pm, skeet Says:
H8 - I like the way that picture came out, too. Mahalo for reporting back on the photos. Sometimes they look great in my own borwser but not in others, so your feedback is really helping me work out the problems.
Marshmallows? Really? Gotta say that sounds disgusting, lol! I’ve only eaten it a few times,boiled or baked. But now that you mention it, I think I remember a subtle bite to the taste also.