Tasty Tuesday ~ Cutting a Mango

I was inspired during our missions conference last week to buy a box of mangos. (BTW - the plural of "mango" can be spelled mangoes OR mangos. Interesting!) The outside is just slightly soft when squeezed, and the color of the peel is a beautiful blend of orange, gold, and green. Inside, a ripe mango has the glow of the sun when it hangs over the horizon. When we first moved to Asia I was amazed at how our first "melt-in-your-mouth" mangos were served to us. NEVER would've thought of that, but it's so easy and makes so much sense. Do you know how to cut a mango? In case you aren't sure what to do with a mango, here are some pictures to show you how to get from oval fruit to juicy chunks perfect for snacking.

First, rest the mango on its long side. Inside there is a long pit, and you will cut the sweet fruit flesh from the sides of the hard center. Don't peel the mango ... you will have a MESS. I like to use a serrated knife.

Cut a long slice on each side.

Cut the soft sides that remain on the long sides of the pit. You don't want to miss any of this heavenly taste of the tropics.

Cut a criss-cross pattern into the mango, but not cutting through to the skin. Careful not to cut through to YOUR skin in case you are a risk taker and hold it in your hand.

Turn the mango piece to a convex shape (like you're doing laundry and someone put things in wrong side out), revealing the fruit cubes waiting to be enjoyed!

Last, fight (gently ...) over the two slivers that you cut from around the pit.

Now be so glad that you learned to prepare this delicious fruit, because (According to the National Mango Board ... not kidding, and they even have a video and another idea to show you ;) ) mangos are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A with antioxidants, and they provide high fiber, while being low in fat. They have over 20 vitamins and minerals!

I hope you're inspired; it's easier than ever to find fruits that are so bright and fresh you feel like you're leaning up against a palmetto tree with the fragrance of bougainvillea drifting around you. I found a box of 1/2 dozen large mangos from Peru available at Sam's Club for about $6 ~ well worth it to hear my tween and teen asking for a mango as a snack! Not as cheap as bananas, mind you, but a perfect treat. And if they make it to "past ripe," mangos make the BEST smoothies! Toss in a banana and a little coconut extract, and you'll be tempted to put on flip flops and a grass skirt.

Happy Tasty Tuesday and thanks to Jen for hosting and to Lisa for hosting Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.