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
Evan @swEEts
You made that look a lot easier than I do when I have mango all over the counter and my hands! Thanks 🙂
Marla
Now this is a very helpful post. I love mangos, but I am a disaster cutting into these bad boys. I will try this technique and see if I end up with some pretty slices. Sounds easy enough. I think.
Tracy
Great tutorial; so helpful!
Denise @ Creative Kitchen
Love the visual step by step of this! Mangos are something we eat alot around here....even in our green smoothies!! I usually just kinda wing it, so this is perfect. Thanks!! 🙂
Aggie
I always love your tutorials, they are so helpful for so many people. I seriously love mango. If you like kale try Aarti's Party Kale & Mango salad...so good!!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels
I always have the hardest time cutting a mango. Thank you sooo much for the instructions and photos. Your son is too cute with the mango peel! 🙂
Marly
Thanks so much for this tutorial - especially as mango season draws ever closer!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
I love your steps and tutorials!
Amanda
LOVE your step-by-steps Dara! So helpful!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Oooo! I like to sprinkle them with cayenne and sugar!