Xoi gac(xôi gấc) is steamed red sticky rice colored with a type of gourd called gac(gấc). Gac is also known as red baby jackfruit, perhaps because gac sounds like jack. However, the name gac comes from Vietnamese, as the fruit is native to Vietnam. Because gac can be hard to find, substitutes like annatto are sometimes used to make red sticky rice. Xoi gac made with gac is sometimes decorated with gac seeds to prove its authenticity.

Ripe gac is typically completely red. Gac can sometimes be bought frozen whole or as paste.

To make xoi gac, combine the ingredients. Place in a layer in a wide steamer basket and steam, flipping.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cup sticky rice, soaked overnight and drained
• 1 ripe gac, peel and seeds removed
• ½ tsp salt

Directions

• combine rice, gac, salt
• steam 20 minutes
• flip
• steam 10 more minutes
• serve