This post will teach you how easy it is to cut a mango to prepare it for dips, snacking, or other recipes!
Welcome to another day of tackling the mysterious fruits and vegetables you might find in the grocery store. Previously we seeded a pomegranate and cut up a pineapple. Today I’d like to introduce you to the exotic mango!
The first time I bought a mango I went in blind. I tried cutting it right in half, like an apple, and quickly met the hard seed in the middle. I then wondered, “Do I eat the skin? Do I eat the fibrous seed? What do I do here?!” I think I nibbled a bit of flesh out of the fruit before giving up and throwing most of it away.
I expect you to meet a different mango fate. I’m here to help!
To choose a mango, pick one that is fragrant, plump and heavy for its size. You’ll know its ripe if you press it lightly with your thumb and it leaves an imprint. Mushy or brown mangoes should be avoided.
Unripe mangoes are very sour, but ripe ones should have only a mild tartness. If you buy an unripened mango, place it in a brown paper bag for a day or two at room temperature until ripe, then store in the refrigerator. Use the mango quickly after ripening for the freshest results.
Mangos have a large, flat stone in the middle. It’s not going to work to cut one down the middle.
Instead, cut one side off the mango slightly off center. Cut the other side off on the other side of the stone. You’ll now have two fleshy sides and one piece containing the stone.
Take one of the fleshy sides and score it into cubes. Cut through the flesh to the peel, but don’t cut through the peel. Turn the piece inside out and use your knife or a spoon to remove the chunks.
Repeat with the other fleshy side. I don’t recommend eating the peel, and neither does anyone else really. But hey, its your mango.
Take the stone piece and use your knife to remove the peel. If any fruit remains around the stone you can cut it off or eat it straight off the stone.
I made baby food out of my mango, so it went into the food processor for a few minutes with a splash of water to keep it smooth. I then placed the puree in ice cube trays in the freezer to use at my convenience.
You can see below there are a few chunks in there still. Its ok, my boy has some teeth. You could also add the freshly cut cubes to a fruit salad, salsa, or other recipe of your choice.
Mangoes are high in vitamin A, beta-carotene, antioxidants and many other nutrients. If you haven’t tried them before, go for it! There’s nothing to be afraid of now.
Leave a Reply