Welcome to our new series where we’ll let you know what fruit and vegetables are market fresh this week, give you handy storage tips and recipes to make the most of seasonal produce.
From late September to April, sweet fresh mangoes can be found gracing the shelves at your local supermarket or greengrocer with many varieties on display for you to choose from. Mangoes fill the house with fresh, juicy aromas and herald the coming of Summer and the good things the season brings – sun, surf, hot sand, family holidays, the company of good friends and evenings under the stars.
The best way to buy a mango is to simply use your nose…a ripe, fresh mango should have a fragrant tropical aroma that varies in intensity from very subtle to strong depending on the variety. A ripe mango will be firm and give slightly to the touch, so avoid mangoes that are hard, very soft or bruised.
Als avoid fruit that is wrinkled or shrivelled as it will become overripe with an unpleasant fermented flavour.
If you find your mangoes are not ripe enough, store them at room temperature between 18 C-22 C and out of the sun for a few days until the fruit ripens. Storing them in a paper bag will also help, a tip to remember is that a mango will not ripen in the refrigerator.
Tip: once ripe, the fruit can be kept chilled or frozen, dried, cooked in syrup or puréed. Never store mangoes in plastic bags – they need air!
A mango is ripe and ready to be eaten when:
•The colour turns from green to orange, red or rosy, depending on the variety.
•The skin gives a little when pressed softly. If it is too mushy, the mango is over-ripe.
•The fruit gives off a delicious sweet fragrance.
Mangoes don’t necessarily have to be evenly coloured all over, some have a greater degree of blush than others and may have small marks or skin blemishes. This is normal and caused by the fruit rubbing against a branch or another piece of fruit on the tree.
These marks won’t affect the internal quality of the flesh, they will still taste delicious!
Here are three recipes to make the most of fresh mangoes sure to become family dinner-winners:
Grilled mango with caramelised brioche – a delicious, sweet and decadent Spring or Summer breakfast topped with vanilla ice cream.
Fish tacos with fresh mango salsa – a light mixture of fresh fish fillet and exotic mango salsa, wrapped in a corn tortilla.
Sweet and easy mango frosé cocktail – a twist on a crowd favourite cocktail, this simple recipe pairs perfectly with a sunny Spring day.
