{"id":36420,"date":"2024-01-09T12:00:10","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T10:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/?p=36420"},"modified":"2024-05-31T10:07:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T08:07:48","slug":"its-mango-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2024\/01\/09\/its-mango-season\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s mango season!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mango chai tea, mango omelettes, and even a mango pizza (we\u2019re not even joking) have all gone viral as mangoes continue inspiring chefs and foodies worldwide to create the most adventurous tropical fusion food.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s really not hard to see why mangoes remain so popular with professional and home cooks. For a start, they epitomise summer with their exotic colours and fragrance. They have a distinctive, sweet, floral flavour that no other fruit can match. And they\u2019re incredibly versatile, easily switching from sweet to savoury dishes (and, given the latest trends, everything in between as well!)<\/p>\n

This makes mangoes popular with adults and kids alike. Mangoes look good on any summer spread, including on fancy party trays sliced, diced, and all dressed up. But they\u2019re equally delicious in kiddies\u2019 snacks and meals. Does summer have a taste? Oh yes, it does!<\/p>\n

This season, we\u2019re maximising mangoes\u2019 sultry sweetness and pairing them with coleslaw in lettuce boats with sesame dressing and calamari in trendy tacos for the ultimate in fuss-free entertaining. We\u2019re also taking poolside popsicles to the next level and adding muesli and yoghurt to pureed mango for a crunchy, creamy spin on this all-time kiddies\u2019 favourite.<\/p>\n

But mangoes aren\u2019t just a pretty face. These fruits are high in vitamins A and C, biotin and the mineral potassium. They are also a source of vitamins B1 and B6 and free from fat, sodium and cholesterol. As if we needed any more reasons to indulge in these tropical treats!<\/p>\n

There are more than 1000 known varieties of mango grown worldwide. In South Africa, 15 different cultivars are grown, mainly in the subtropical regions of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. We harvest our mangoes from December to the end of April, which means a plentiful supply all the way through summer.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re already rubbing your hands in anticipation, look out for Tommy Atkins mangoes. They\u2019re the season’s first fruit and are known for their medium to large size and thickish orange-red skin.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also soon see the smaller Zill mangoes in store \u2013 another early-season cultivar. You\u2019ll recognise them with their greenish-yellow to red skin and honey-sweet flesh.<\/p>\n

Mid-season is around February when you\u2019ll be able to pick up Sensation, a small, oval, firm, stringless mango with a delightful green and purple colouring, and Heidi, with its quintessential mango yellow and red colouring. Heidi mangoes are medium to large in size and heart-shaped. The delicious mid to late-season Kent and Keitt will keep you supplied with mangoes until April.<\/p>\n

To judge how ripe your mango is, give it a gentle squeeze. Ripe mangoes \u2018give\u2019 slightly under your fingers, while unripe mangoes remain firm to the touch and can be ripened at room temperature over a couple of days.<\/p>\n

Why not get onto the viral mango trend this summer and cook up your own mango masterpiece? All you need is your imagination, recipes suited to a tropical twist, and lots of fresh, juicy and sweet Mmmmm\u2026mangoes!<\/p>\n

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Mango and coleslaw lettuce boats with sesame dressing<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image provided by South African Mango Grower’s Association<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These fresh and tasty mango lettuce boats make a colourful starter or delicious vegetarian main course and take only a few minutes to prepare. The dressing is so versatile and can be used on any salad and will keep stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a week. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Serves 4 – 6 <\/em><\/p>\n

Preparation time: <\/strong>20 minutes<\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n