Sri Lanka is the birthplace of true cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and cinnamon permeates every layer of its cooking. Polos curry (made with tender young jackfruit) uses a generous length of cinnamon bark alongside curry leaves and coconut milk to build the aromatic base that defines Sri Lankan home cooking. The dish exemplifies how deeply cinnamon is embedded in the island's culinary identity: not as a sweet accent but as a structural spice.
Ingredients
Main
400 g green jackfruit, canned, drained and cubed
2 tbsp coconut oil
Aromatics
1 large onion, finely sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 fresh green chillies, sliced
2 sprigs fresh curry leaves
1 pandan leaf, optional
Spices
1 cinnamon stick, approx 5cm
1 tbsp Sri Lankan roasted curry powder
0.5 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
Liquid
400 ml coconut milk
Seasoning
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Method
Drain the canned jackfruit thoroughly, rinse under cold water, and cut the pieces into rough 3-4cm cubes. Pat dry.
Heat the coconut oil in a medium saucepan or curry pot over medium heat. Add the curry leaves, cinnamon stick and pandan leaf (if using) and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until soft and beginning to turn golden.
Add the garlic, ginger and green chillies. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the roasted curry powder, turmeric and chilli powder. Stir to coat the onions and cook the spices for 1-2 minutes.
Add the jackfruit pieces and stir well to coat with the spice mixture.
Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine. Season with salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook on low-medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is tender and has absorbed the flavours of the curry.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove the cinnamon stick and pandan leaf before serving. Serve with steamed rice or roti.
Notes
This curry improves significantly if made a day ahead and reheated. The cinnamon stick should be left in during cooking but removed before serving.
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