Mango The Magnificent

May 06, 2010

Legend has it that when the Buddha sought peace, he took refuge in mango groves among their pendulous green globular drops of sweet, golden flesh.

And the enlightened one likely got more than peaceful repose from the shaded grove, as the fruit itself provides a stunning trove of healthful properties for your body’s nutritional Zen.

Even a single mango, for example, provides a quarter of the vitamin C you need in a day, and nearly two thirds of your vitamin A. Add in its vitamin E, ample fiber, vitamin K, magnesium, and you have perhaps the most delicious one-a-day multi-vitamin imaginable.

Keep in mind, too, that the vitamin content evolves as the fruit ripens. Interestingly, a young, green mango has a higher amount of vitamin C, whereas ripened maturity brings greater levels of vitamin A (specifically, beta carotene).

The outcomes of this nutritional super food amount to a yin/yang duality of healthful benefits. While the yin of potassium calms and balances blood pressure, the powerful yang antioxidants attack and neutralize the oxidative stress caused by free radicals that can lead to premature aging, heart disease, and cancer.

In the end, the magnificence of the mango lies not just in its zen-like nutritional balance, but also in the fact that it is a perfect porch food for summer.

When choosing your mangoes, keep in mind that the many varieties do not all ripen by turning shades of red or orange. So the best fail safe method for choosing deliciously ripened mangos is to rely on its touch and aroma. A ripe mango will give slightly to a light squeeze in your palm. Even better, it will emit a subtle sweet fragrance that reminds you of honeysuckle.

Once you get your mango home, and are ready to linger over this luscious fruit on some late summer evening, try the salsa below. It’s life changing, and can be eaten alone or as a sidecar to any fish. Salmon, lightly done, forms a particularly nice pairing.

Saturday mornings are also ideal for the mango. While finishing your morning paper, top garlic-rubbed toasted bread with a thin slice of well ripened brie cheese. Follow this layer with a long slice of mango, cut parallel from its oblong seed. The flavor marriage of mango and brie is a beautiful coupling that you will renew throughout the summer.

 

Avocado Mango Salsa Zen (as tolerated )

You’ll Need:

 

2 cups  diced fresh mango

1 cup  chopped avocado

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp minced fresh chives, or red onion

1 tsp crushed cumin seeds

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, de-ribbed, and minced

Pinch of salt

 

Preparation

 

This is dirt simple. Really. You’ll need about twice as much mango as avocado, the juice of about one lime or so (to taste), finely diced onion and spicy pepper (again, to taste). The magic here, comes from the cumin seeds. Get these seeds and run a rolling pin or empty bottle over them to crack them open. Toss them all in, taste and correct for the saltiness you desire. Welcome to Nirvana.

 

 

 

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