Mango is a versatile fruit.
Mango is a fruit that grows best in a sub-tropical climate. Most mangoes sold in stores in the United States are imported from Mexico. Mango trees are evergreens that grow approximately 60 feet tall with softball-size fruit that have a consistency and taste similar to a firm peach. The exterior is covered in a tough, inedible skin that must be removed prior to use along with a large pit that sits at the center of the fruit.
Instructions
1. Select a ripe mango. When choosing a mango, look for a fruit that yields slightly under gentle pressure. The color of the skin is really not an indicator of ripe fruit; mangoes come in many varieties, some of which remain green after ripening. If you purchase firm or hard mangoes, allow them to sit at room temperature until they ripen, usually this will only take three to six days.
2. Wash the fruit prior to peeling the skin to remove any pesticide residue or germs on the exterior of the fruit from people handling it prior to your purchase. This will avoid your fruit being contaminated during the peeling and chopping process.
3. Cut both ends off to create a flat surface. Use a sharp knife to remove the end of the mango where the stem attached to the tree and the end directly opposite.
4. Tip the mango up on end so it is resting on the surface from which you removed the stem. Run a sharp knife down the sides of the mango removing the skin in strips.
5. Remove the flesh from the pit by sliding the knife down each side of the pit, finally removing the narrow strip of flesh left on the other two sides of the pit. The pit of a mango is more flat than the pit of other fruits. You should be able to see the direction the pit runs from the end you removed where the stem was located. While this is a general guide, you will have to allow the shape of the pit to guide your knife because no two pits are exactly the same.
6. Cube the flesh and enjoy it fresh, in dessert recipes, smoothies or freeze for later use. Mango is a versatile fruit and while it is delicious raw, it can also be used in recipes, such as marinades, chutney, sauces, quick bread, muffins and salsa.
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