How to buy, cut, and eat a mango.
Mangos are to the tropics what peaches are to Georgia. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from, each with a distinct flavor. You can find mangos at the grocery store practically year round, but in the U.S. the season usually runs from June to September. During these months the variety, quality and prices are better. During the harvesting season, you can enjoy the fruit’s bounty in many authentic Caribbean dishes.
Buying a Mango
When purchasing mangos, look for undamaged, smooth-skinned fruits that don’t have soft spots. Usually, mangos are picked while they are still green. You can ripen them at room temperature in a sealed paper bag (don’t try this in the refrigerator because they will not ripen below 55 F). Contrary to popular belief, a red or orange skin isn’t the only sign of ripeness. Some varieties remain green. A ripe mango will be aromatic and soft, but not mushy. You can store your ripe mangos in the refrigerator for about five days or in the freezer if they are diced or puréed.
Cutting and Peeling a Mango
Once you’ve chosen your mango, cutting and eating it can be a messy situation. There are two methods of removing the fruit from the elongated seed that I use.
The Hedgehog Method:
- Slice off the top and bottom of the fruit (the flat sides, not the round tips). Get as close to the flat seed as possible.
- Using a sharp knife, score a crosshatch or tic-tac-toe pattern into the flesh of the fruit. Cut to, but not through, the skin.
- Holding the edges in you hands, press the skin with your thumbs to turn the slice inside out. Bite size chunks of fruit will extend from the skin, ready for you to scoop off with a spoon.
The Whittle Method:
- Pare the skin off the mango.
- Whittle the skinned fruit flesh off the seed by making hooked cuts with a sharp knife.
In either case, bear in mind that mango skins have a sticky sap, which some people are allergic to. I found this out the hard way when I picked a mango fresh off the tree. I didn’t have any cutting utensils with me and couldn’t wait to get home to eat it. So I ripped into it using my teeth. Later that day, my lips were red, swollen, and itchy. It’s a good idea to use rubber gloves when handling or peeling whole mangos, not your teeth!
Mangos are Good for You
Rich in potassium and Vitamins A and C, mangos not only taste good; they’re good for you. A one pound (medium) mango contains about 135 calories and yields about one and a half cups of diced fruit or one cup of purée.
