And also, sticking with my theme, MANGO, another fruit with a very large seed in the middle. Mangoes are common in tropic and subtropical climates and have a season – usually January through August in the U.S. because they come from so many different places. They are actually the national fruit of India and several other countries in the east and middle east. The ones in my grocery store were from Nicaragua and Mexico. I could grow them here in Florida (but I don’t).
A really ripe mango is soft, juicy and I think very peach-like in flavor. Under ripe ones can taste a little like turpentine, especially close to the skin. At full ripeness you can use them like any fruit in pies, cobblers, short-cake or sherbet. But they are versatile enough to be used green, and I had them that way once in Cambodia. They were cut into spears and dipped in a spice/salt mixture like a vegetable. Wasn’t bad, really, but very different.
They are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A (that pretty gold color…), niacin and quite a few minerals. There are different ways to cut them but I’ve pictured one that’s easy. Cut on both sides of the flat seed and then into cubes or spears. Even when not fully ripe, like the one I have pictured, I like to freeze them in chunks and use them in smoothies with milk, or yogurt, or orange juice or a banana or all of those things. There is no way to go wrong with a mango smoothie. They are soooo good!
Some people may have allergic reactions to the stems, leaves, sap, and skin of this fruit, typically a contact dermatitis. If you are allergic to urushiol, the allergen in poison ivy, you may also have trouble with a similar phytochemical in mangos. However, even sensitized people can eat peeled mango or drink mango juice.
That’s it for M. We’re halfway through the A to Z challenge! Everyone still having fun?
I Just Have to Say... 
And …it’s the mango season on India …and it’s mango in different forms and translations here,now.
Oh I love mangoes. In the past I used to get throat infections by having mangoes. Someone suggested soaking them in water for long and it helped 🙂 looks like the soaking gets rid of the chemicals.
That was probably the same as the contact dermatitis mentioned and you are right, some of the sap from the skin was washed away by soaking. Nice tip, thanks.
Mmmmm… mango!
(Apologies, but I also need to warn you that I challenged you to the 3 Day Quote Challenge here: https://wordpress.com/post/stranscht.com/1872 — no obligation!)
Two challenges at once … Don’t know if I can handle that. I’m kidding. I’m a mother.
LOL!
Mangos are so delicious! But always a challenge to slice into pieces…
You have that right, exactly. They’re worse than bagels. Thanks Marie.
Great information on mangoes. We don’t really eat them a lot but I do like them.
If you’re in the north, there is less pressure to eat them whole, but you see a lot of mango juice and juice mix I’ll bet.
I adore mangos. I never had them when growing up, but I remember watching a child walk through a store eating one and it was quite an inspiration. Yes, I am still enjoying the challenge.
Great. Going to go check out some of your posts.
Thank you.
good to know about the allergy – I have a family member allergic to poison ivy. I guess handle with gloves is a good idea
Possibly. Caution doesn’t hurt. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading. Hope no one is allergic.