Marvelous Mangos
In the fall last year, I sent out organic California Green Keitt mangos to friends around the country who did not have them available in their region. It was a gesture meant to share the joy I find in eating these amazing fruits, and the packages included a little poem with eating instructions:
You won't know from the way I look
Only the way I feel
Smooth-skinned, firmly soft
Opened up, I reveal my true colors
Vibrant golden sunshine in your hands
Your patience is rewarded
In discovering my succulent decadent deliciousness
Sweet, sticky, drippy, and a surprisingly delightful tang
Each bite brings
the emergent primal smile
Knowing at the end of flesh
You’ll gnaw on the pit
And savor every bite
This time of year is another favorite mango time for me!
I know you see many types of mangos throughout the year, but the Melissa's organic Ataulfo mango or honey mango is one that is particularly abundant during this time of year.
Now, you may love Haden mangoes or even Tommy Atkins mangos—but I’ll lay dollars to donuts that, if you haven’t had an Ataulfo, you may have been missing out on one of the best mangos of all. These are sooooo good. Truth be told, they are the other variety of mangoes I send as “mango-grams” each year.
Shaped like a yellow baby chick, these beauties originated from a Hawaiian seedling and are a direct descendant of the Manila variety, which is why they are often referred to as Manila mangoes as well. Some say Ataulfo mangos have a honey-like flavor, which I can agree with—and they have a nice sweetness and just the slightest tang. Not a fan of the fibrous strings of other mangos? Ataulfo mangos have a smooth and velvety texture that is a delight in every delicious bite.
In folklore, a mango's golden hue is often linked with prosperity. The deep rich color of Ataulfo mangos is no exception—especially in how they make you feel that life is just a little better when you see them stacked high in your local produce department. In many cultures, the fruit's voluptuous shape and sweet, juicy flesh are emblematic of romantic desire and love—which goes hand in hand with spring's renewing feeling this month.
They are easy to eat and a simple, juicy way to slow down and just be for a few minutes in your busy day. Though they may be messy, they are surely worth the effort and clean-up every time they are enjoyed.
Now that I’ve cleaned up from my own mango moment, I think I'll make some Mango Sorbetto or go look up my mango bacon pie recipe!
