Food of the Week 1 - Mango

So Mango - I don't know why but as of late Mango has just been on my mind. 

I love mangos.  I was introduced to them in college by a friend.  From the first moment of biting into the tender sweet but slightly tangy flesh with juice running down my chin and fingers - well I fell in love.  It isn't always easy to find really good mangos in the store, but if I see some I'll look and try. 

Mango is a pretty versatile tropical fruit.  Its origins are the Indian subcontinent and most of the mangoes cultivated int he world today come from India, but they are grown in other countries including N. America.  They have a hard middle seed that the flesh doesn't really separate from easily and it has a thin outer peel that's not edible.   Some people peel and eat right off the seed, others cut as much flesh as they can from the seed and then pull it from the skin.  There are all sorts of methods and depending on your desirable method of enjoying, yours may vary.  There are some handy dandy mango slicers you can buy at a store, but well, I'm cheap. 

Nutrient wise, mangoes are great fruit.  They are a great source of vitamin A and C and they also contain Omega-3, and have some antioxident qualities.  Full nutritional listing

My favorite way to eat mango is tossed with lime juice and just a pinch of chili powder (I know, I'm weird).  But mango is wonderful blended in smoothies, grilled, in salsa and just plain.