BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Tacos + Some News
In looking back on the last ten years, it seems there’s a trend of piling on Big New Things all at once: a few years ago it was write a book / get married. Then it was buy a house / have a baby. This time around it’s get a new job / have a baby. No easy transitions here, apparently. If you hadn’t yet gleaned, we’re expecting another baby in late January! I’ve been excited to share the news with you guys — and a little nervous, too. You never know when it’s the right time to share private news publicly, and those of you who have suffered pregnancy losses know that decision can feel particularly challenging. But the weeks are whizzing by here (not nearly as much time to nap and journal and idly bake things as I had in my first pregnancy; I miss those naps and Netflix binges!); we’re feeling positive and trying to wrap our minds around what life will be like with two small people.
Sam and I tried to get pregnant with this bambino for about eight months, a time that was punctuated by a miscarriage. During that time, I tried everything: giving up alcohol and caffeine, taking herbs and supplements to help with fertility, meditation, acupuncture, tracking my cycle like crazy. I felt the clock ticking … loudly. After eight months we decided to see a fertility specialist as it seemed we needed some support. I’d heard this would be a long road, too, but we were excited about doing something positive to move forward — even if it meant many more months of trying. While I had lots of friends who have gone down this road and were really supportive, my mom and sisters all insisted I just needed to chill out and stop thinking about it so much and everything would turn out just fine (ohhhh, the positivity!).
For those of you who may be wired like me (type-A planner prone to anxiety), this is not what an almost 40 year old woman wants to hear. I kept talking to them about the science behind fertility and the intense timing and how it really wasn’t a matter of just … chilling out. That month, I didn’t track my cycle and we looked forward to our next steps. And then, a few weeks later, I didn’t get my period. It turns out maaaaayyybe there was something small (even though I have trouble admitting it even now!) to the ‘taking a deep breath and step back’ approach.
I have friends who are trying to get pregnant or have suffered recent miscarriages. I have friends trying to figure out if they even want to get pregnant, and others who are unable to and have been trying for years. I know some of you here are in one of those boats as you’ve messaged me about it in the past. So I’m always a little hesitant to say much or offer advice as the journey really is so personal and unique and is so often not without its challenges. As Sam so wisely said years ago, “they wouldn’t call it trying to get pregnant if everyone just … got pregnant right away.”
We hired a doula a few weeks ago. She came over to the house in the early evening while Oliver was in the guestroom bed watching Bob the Builder, and we were all trying to stay cool in the living room with Le Croix and cracked windows. I asked her the questions I’d jotted down and then I hesitated telling her I had one more question but it was a bit morbid. I asked what happens to the doula fee if the pregnancy doesn’t result in a baby. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Oh, girl, we’re meeting this baby.” So there you have it. Full speed ahead.
I wanted to share a recipe with you today, but in truth, my entire first trimester was spent largely eating quesadillas, bagels and GASP McDonald’s french fries (you guys, I hadn’t been in a good twenty years and they’re kind of delicious). I’m thankful to be back in the swing of my much more typical eating routine, and thought I’d share these easy vegan tacos that I developed for Simply Recipes recently.
They’re made with jackfruit, a large fruit that’s thought to be indigenous to India, but today grows in many tropical regions such as Southeast Asia and Brazil. You can buy jackfruit canned in popular grocers like Trader Joe’s and it’s a beloved ingredient in the plant-based community because it shreds much like meat (hello, tacos and sliders) — which you can see in the photos above. If you’re curious about jackfruit itself, I wrote a general piece about it you may be into.
GET THE RECIPE: BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Tacos (Note: to keep the tacos vegan, use a vegan sour cream).
Welcome to A Sweet Spoonful, my blog devoted to seasonal cooking, whole grain baking, and casual gatherings in our Pacific Northwest home. My name is Megan Gordon and I'm so glad you're here.
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Alesha
Sending love and positive vibes.. I’m in kinda the same boat.. turning 40 on February and trying to determine if we want another one since the first one was hard.
The tacos look amazing and I say a similar recipe on Facebook awhile ago and always wondered where I could get the fruit. Now I know I’m going to try it.! ❤️❤️❤️
Kathleen
Thank you for sharing-I'm home with a five month old after a loss and then stressful pregnancy, sending thoughts your way .
Melissa M
Yay!!
As a fellow anxiety-prone type A, it's so nice to hear your voice and experiences. Wishing you and yours the very best!
Carole
Congratulations to you, Sam and big bro, Oliver.
Jeb B.
Such a wonderful post, Megan. So excited for you, S, and O. And to make these tacos. 💙
Suzanne
Congratulations to you, Sam, and Oliver. Thank you for this recipe as I have wondered about trying Jackfruit and this sounds delicious. I definitely plan to try it.
Lana Johnson
Cheers, joy and happy heartfelt thoughts for you and your growing family. I read all your recipes posted and adopt some into our everyday meals. Thank you for doing all the legwork, so I just have to follow instructions for a wonderful dish. Food photos are my favorites, whether something homemade or ordered out. I love your pictures. Share your beautiful smile a lot.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth
quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. -Max Ehrmann
Deepa
Thank you for sharing your story. I love that line ‘Just stop stressing!’ If only it were that easy! Congratulations and wishing you a smooth pregnancy/birth. Oh and the tacos look divine!
megang
Thank you, Suzanne! I hope you enjoy the tacos :)
megang
Hi, Ashley! Oh gosh, I know: I wouldn't have gone near these tacos in the early days. French fries for days :) CONGRATULATIONS! What exciting news after such a long journey. Tacos are in your future :)
Ashley
Congratulations! You are right though... the stop stressing stuff is bullshit, haha, and a privilege to even think that would be the solution! I am in early pregnancy with my first after 5 years of infertility. I can't wait to get a little further along so things like tacos sound good again. :)
megang
Thank you, Lori!
Lori
Congratulations, Megan! So happy for you.
megang
Thank you so much, Deepa!
megang
Thanks, girl! I didn't know we were the same age. I can totally see that that decision would be a tough one - sending you lots of positive thoughts. Yes, and tacos are easy and delicious (and healthy!). Win / win :)
megang
Thank you so much, Melissa :)
megang
Hi, Kathleen. So sorry to hear about your loss. It is just so hard. The one thing that always brought me a little solace was the fact that my body had done it before; Sam kept reminding me it could do it again :) Hope you and your little one are enjoying the end of summer (gasp). All my best, Megan
megang
Thank you, my friend! Yes you'll love jackfruit if you haven't tried it yet. It's right up your vegetarian alley! xoxo
megang
Thank you, Carole!
Denise
I am so behind on my reading of blogs due to life that I almost missed this! YAY for another baby - I am so happy for all three of you! I, agree, with your mom and sisters - sometimes you just have to chill. I would have offered the same advise. A slew of my female friends who could not get pregnant, once they relaxed it all just happened!
MCD
Congratulations!!! All the best to you guys.
I only follow three blogs, two food/life ones and one author/books. I really enjoy the recipes, book suggestions and the beautiful pictures with a little glimpse of life. I came across all three through books. I always find myself daydreaming about life in the UK and I'm wondering if anyone follows a blog from over tgerecthey can recommend?
The tacos look great Megan! Xo
sam-c
Sending thoughts for a peaceful pregnancy. I have 2 children, 5 years apart. Those years in between were tough,with a couple miscarriages and lots of 'trying.' Managing the anxiety of the ("finally!!") second pregnancy was tough too. Thanks for sharing and will keep thinking positive thoughts for you and your growing family.
Miriam
Thank you Megan for you beautiful post! I have lost three pregnancies in the last year and your words resonate. I found refuge in cooking, including from your book!
megang
Thank you! I recall getting an email from you last week, so I'll keep this in mind. I promise! Thanks again for stopping in and taking the time to leave such a sweet comment!
megang
Thank you so much, Miriam, for your sweet comment. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses - truly. And am glad to hear you've found something to take comfort in (cooking really does help, doesn't it?)
Kimberly
Dear Megan,
I’m behind on blogs and always happy to see a new post from you. Your writing is beautiful and so relatable. I wouldn’t complain if you piled on another book with baby #2 :) Wishing you all well, and thanks for another great recipe!
megang
Thank you so much, Kimberly! Really, truly makes my day :)