The people have spoken. Last week, in my weekly addition to the How-To section, I demonstrated How to: Cut an Avocado. The comments were positive (thank you), but there seemed to be a quiet chant, gradually increasing in volume, from the readers. "Mango...MANGO...MANGO". As I said, the people were speaking, loud and clear. In an attempt to avoid a mob scene, I went to the store the next day to buy some mangoes.
And who could blame them?! They are fantastic in recipes such a grilled mahi mahi (with mango salsa), mango salsa with shrimp and a fresh mango fruit salad.
I used to have a heck of a time cutting mangoes. That darn flat pit baffled me and I often found myself staring at a pile of mangled mango slices, and I would then spend a frustratingly long time cutting the skin off of the fruit. That is, until I learned the hedgehog method.
How to do it:
Mangoes have flat-ish, oblong pits. If you look at the left-hand picture below, try to picture how the pit would lie in the fruit. Turn the mango the other way (center). You will be slicing off the left and right sides of the mango.
Sit the mango on its stem, hold firmly, and slice the left and right sides of the fruit away from the pit. These are known as the cheeks of the mango. Awww.
Working with one cheek at a time, make vertical cuts across the fruit (left), taking care to cut to the skin, but not through it. Repeat the cuts in the other direction (right).
This is the fun part. Place your thumbs on the outside of the fruit and push it inside out. It should look like a little hedgehog. Who knew the mango was such an adorable fruit?
With a paring knife, carefully cut between the skin and the fruit to cut off the cubes. Each mango yields approximately one cup of mango pieces.
Easier than you thought, right?
Of course, if you have a six-year old in the house that can't get enough of fresh fruit and veggies, hand those mango peels over to him to make sure none of that juice is wasted.
Recipe using mango:
Cookin' Canuck's Grilled Mahi Mahi with Mango, Red Pepper & Lime Salsa
Cookin' Canuck's Mango & Lime Sorbet
Rasa Malaysia's Mango Lassi
Kalyn's Kitchen's Mango Salad with Black Beans, Avocado & Chili-Lime Vinaigrette
Smitten Kitchen's Mango Slaw with Cashews & Mint
Maris (In Good Taste)
This was very helpful as I usually end up wasting half the fruit. Your son is absolutely adorable.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Maris. I'm so glad you found this helpful.
Kalynskitchen
Great photos! I was baffled by mangos when I first started using them a few years ago but once you realize how flat the pits are, they aren't really so hard!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Exactly, Kalyn! The pit used to throw me off and I was very happy when I finally figured out how to get around it.
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle
Great tutorial Dara. I'm not crazy about mango; maybe it's the hassle to get the fruit. Makes you love the convenience of the apple doesn't it?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Yes, I do love the convenience of an apple, but you just can't beat the flavor of a mango.
Drick
now that is easy...gotta love you son's pic
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Drick.
Lori @ RecipeGirl
Terrific tutorial. My little guy absolutely loves mangoes- I'll be trying this and he'll be overjoyed to eat it just like your little man! I love it when I can find them perfectly ripe.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Lori. Yes, as you can see, there are some mango fans in this house.
foodwanderings
Dara, So happy you did this tutorial. Often times when I have a mango ina recipe I wish ti include a tutorial to go with it. Is this your kid in the picture? He is absolutely adorable!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Shulie. I'm glad you find this helpful. Yes, that is my youngest son. He's a character - keeps us laughing.
Kirsty
Thank you for sharing this!! I've been trying to figure out how to handle a mango for such a long time...
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
They can be tricky little suckers. I hope this method makes things easier for you.
Jeanine
Nice! I have a 9 lb box of mangos ripening, glad to see this right now. My kitchen prep has changed drastically ever since the onion tutorial. Love the "how to", thank you!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm so glad, Jeanine! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Kathy - Panini Happy
Wow, those mangoes look beautiful - just added some to my shopping list for the week (along with the ingredients for your turkey meatballs!).
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I know, the color of the mangoes is mesmerizing. I hope you enjoy the meatballs!
Natasha
Awesome! I just bought a couple of mangoes last week, perfect timing! Thank you 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm glad this will be helpful for you.