Jujube is a fleshy and juicy fruit that belongs to Buckthorn and Rhamnaceae family. It is a dark red plum like fruit. It is also referred to as Red date and Korean date. In India it is eaten as a fresh fruit and also savored as a hand pound jujube along with a few other tangy and spicy ingredients which is a delicious and popular recipe in southern India.
Here is the mouthwatering recipe:
Jujube fruit – ½ kg
Jaggary – 200g
Green chilli – 10 to 12
Mustard – 1tsp
Oil- 1tsp
Asafetida powder – ½ tsp
Curry leaf – few leaves
Salt as needed
This recipe tastes best when hand-pounded. However, if you do not have a hand pounder, you can use a mixer.
First grind the green chillies coarsely. Add jujube fruit without seeds if you are using mixer. Grind coarsely. Now add jaggery) and salt and mix together. Heat the oil in a pan. Add mustard and let it splutter. Add curry leaves and fry. Add it to the mixture and mix well. Make it into small ball or patties. Sun dry it for few hours. Your tasty yummy all natural jujube digestive balls are ready to eat. Have it after meals or whenever you need!
Health benefits of Jujube
What makes jujube a wonder fruit is that it is packed with antioxidants. It gives enormous health benefits.
Good for your heart
Jujube is rich source of Iron and Phosphorus. It helps in treating anemia.
Strengthens your bones
The high amount of Calcium, Iron and Phosphorus make your bones strong and resilient. Adding jujube to your regular diet decreases the chances of getting osteoporosis and helps to maintain healthy bones.
How jujube assists in weight control?
First, it’s a low calorie fruit. It is rich in fibre and protein. Second, it is satiating and is a perfect snack for weight watchers.
Increase your immunity with Jujube fruit
Contains Vitamin A, and Vitamin C and antioxidants which act together to neutralize free radicals. Vitamin C stimulates the production of white blood cells.
Stress reduction is on the way!
Jujube fruit has compounds which provide anxiolytic and soothing effects to the body. It has an impact on hormones and induces a calm and relaxed sensation. It regulates hormones related to stress and helps in alleviating stress levels.
Cancer prevention
As jujube contains lot of anti oxidants it binds the cancer causing free radicals in the blood stream and helps in eliminating it from the body with its rich fiber content. And it reduces the chances of cancer cell growth in the body.
Digestion made easy
Saponins and Triterpenoids in jujube help the body to absorb nutrients from the food and helps in faster digestion. It helps to relieve from constipation.
Jujube- Natural blood purifier
It is abundant in alkaloids and saponins which helps in removing toxins from the blood and improves the immune system’s operation in the body.
Good for Brain health
As we age our brain cells starts to degenerate. Hence, we get age related neurological disorders like dementia. Jujube prevents age related brain damage by inhibiting the glutamate activity. It protects the neurons and helps in preventing brain diseases.
Jujube has anti inflammatory, anti microbial and antioxidative properties. It helps in treating ovarian cysts as it has the same effect as birth control pills which is used in treating ovarian cysts but in a natural way!