Island Macaroni Salad

Island Macaroni Salad Topped with Fried Sweet Plantains

If you're searching for a scrumptious and effortless recipe, look no further. This pasta salad was inspired by my Caribbean heritage, and it's bursting with flavor and personality, thanks to the addition of jerk spices. Instead of chicken, I've used jackfruit in this plant-based dish, which gives it a unique twist. Once you try it, it will become your go-to pasta recipe.

Pasta Ingredients:

1 8 oz package of Macaroni ( I used Banaza chickpea pasta)

1/4 cup red onions finely chopped

1/4 cup celery finely chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped

1 tbsp green onions chopped

2 tbsp cilantro finely chopped

1/2 cup vegan mayonaise

1 1/2 tsp Jerk sesasoning marinade ( I used walkerswood brand)

Jackfruit (chick’n) Ingredients:

1 can young green jackfruit soaked in hot water for 10 minutes

1 tbsp grapeseed oil

1/2 yellow onion chopped

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp liquid smoke

On medium heat in a skillet add grapeseed oil. Remove jackfruit from hot water and squeeze out as much water as possible from the jackfruit. Use your fingers to break the jackfruit into smaller pieces. Add the jackfruit to the heated skillet. Allow jackfruit to cook for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned. Add the onions and combine. Allow the onions to become translucent. Add the smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and liquid smoke. Stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl add the cooked pasta, red onions, celery, red bell pepper, green onions and cilantro. Stir to combine. Set aside.

In a small bowl add the jerk seasoning and mayonnaise. Stir to combine ingredients. Set aside.

In the bowl with the pasta mixture add the cooked jackfruit and stir to combine the ingredients. Now add the seasoned mayonnaise to the bowl with the pasta jackfruit mixture. Stir and combine all the ingredients. This can be served room temperature or cold. Great served as a full meal or side dish.

Enjoy!