Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is available in Asia, Africa, and South America. Unripe jackfruit is now considered a popular substitute for meat. The flesh of the unripe jackfruit can be eaten raw or cooked into various dishes. Let’s take a look at 6 tasty jackfruit recipes to try out at home.  Health Benefits of Jackfruit Jackfruit is nutrient-rich. It is packed with carbohydrates, protein, a small amount of fat, vitamins C, A, B6, and B2, riboflavin, magnesium, and other micronutrients. Jackfruit is rich in phytochemicals as well -- compounds found only in plants and these compounds are beneficial to health. Moreover, plenty of fiber is available in jackfruit.  Jackfruit has carotenoids which are high in vitamin A and work like other antioxidants. Carotenoids may protect cells from damage and prevent diseases including cancer, heart disease, etc. It may also prevent eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. It also helps to minimize constipation and ulcers.  Read More: Tasty Homemade Shashlik Recipes with Meat and Fish Besides, the protein in jackfruit helps to control the blood sugar of people with type-2 diabetes. And, the potassium content of jackfruit helps in lowering blood pressure.  6 Versatile Jackfruit Recipes Jackfruit Coconut Muffin Recipe Ingredients 1 cup jackfruit (chopped), 1 cup flour, ¼ cup sugar (granulated), 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup sour cream,  ¼ cup milk, 1 egg, ¼ cup coconut (desiccated), 2 tablespoon coconut for garnishing. Instructions First, prepare the oven to 375F and line the muffin tin with 6 liners. Meanwhile, take a bowl and sieve flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Next, add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and coconut. Mix everything nicely.   Take another bowl and whisk egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Add butter (melted) while the mixer is running and mix well. Then add the dry ingredients and mix at low speed as long as it is combined well. Mix jackfruit pieces using a rubber spatula. Pour the mixture into a muffin mold each with ⅔ full batter. Top with the rest of the Jackfruit and coconut and bake for about 15 minutes or as long as a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.  Read More: Homemade Ice Cream Recipes Using Seasonal Fruits for This Summer Jackfruit Juice Recipe Ingredients 1/2 jackfruit, 1/2 lemon juice, 2 cups of water, 2 ripe bananas, 2 tbsp sugar (extra) Instructions First, cut the jackfruit into small pieces. Peel off the bananas and cut them into cube pieces. Now, take a blender or a juicer. Put everything except lemon juice in the blender and blend. Pour the juice into a glass and add lemon juice before serving.  Jackfruit Jam Recipe Ingredients  20 to 22 jackfruit pieces, 1 cup jaggery, 1/2 cup ghee Instructions First, boil water in a pot and then add the jackfruit pieces. Let them boil for a few minutes or as long as they become tender. Remove the pot from the stove and strain the jackfruit pieces. When they are cool, mash them well. Read More: Healthy Sehri Meal Recipes for Ramadan Fasting Now take a pan and heat ghee. Pour the mashed jackfruits and jaggery into the pan and mix well. Stir continuously. When they become sticky and start to leave the sides of the pan, remove them from heat and transfer them to a dish. After cooking, preserve jackfruit jam in a clean, sterilized jar.

Commuters, particularly officegoers, had a harrowing time on the city's roads on Wednesday, the very first day of the new office schedule, as they remained stuck in traffic snarls for hours in the morning. The snarls began around 7.30am, with the Bangladesh government deciding to change the timings of all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices -- from 9am-5pm to 8am-3pm daily -- to ration electricity. Mohakhali to Banani, Dhanmondi, Bijoy Sarani and Mogbazar were some of the worst-hit stretches where traffic literally came to a standstill for over an hour in the morning rush hours. Read: Dhaka’s air quality remains 'moderate' “It seems that there is no end to people’s sufferings. Traffic jams not only kill time but also ruin our energy,” said Istiaqe Nasir, a resident of the city's Uttara area. "It took me two hours to reach my office in Tejgaon from Uttara," he added. Students of primary and secondary schools also had to bear the brunt of the morning rush hour jams. A senior traffic officer with Dhaka Metropolitan Police, preferring anonymity, said a large number of vehicles, including buses, were seen parked along the roads, triggering the traffic jam. "What began as a daily traffic congestion soon turned into a chaotic situation, forcing many people to walk to their respective destinations," he said.