Savvy Kitchen Tips: Cut and Dice Mangos

This post is sponsored by Melissa’s Produce. Learn how to cut and dice mangos easily using a knife or a mango splitter. Plus mango nutrition facts, and creative ways to enjoy mangos in recipes!

 This post is sponsored by Melissa’s Produce. All opinions are my own.

Thanks again to my wonderful friends at Melissa’s Produce for sponsoring this post with these gorgeous 2 lb Keitt Mangos…Wow!

2 ways to dice mangos:

• Rinse the mango well in cool water before cutting open. Use a clean knife and cutting board with a towel underneath to create a safe cutting surface.
• Mangos have one long flat seed in the center of the fruit, stand the mango stem side down on your cutting board, and hold the fruit.

Dice mangos with a mango splitter:

1. Place the mango splitter on the mango matching up the widest part of the fruit with the widest part of the mango splitter.
2. Push down, and cut the mango into two pieces, and discard the tough inedible seed from the center.
3. Next, hold one half of the mango and using a small paring knife cut a grid down into the fruit but not through the skin. Cut about a 1/2″ grid for a larger dice mango, or 1/4″ for smaller dice mango.
4. Scoop the diced mango pieces out of the mango skin using a large spoon into a bowl.

Dice mangos with a knife:

1. Stand the mango on your cutting board stem end down and hold. Place your knife about 1/4″ from the widest center line and cut down through the mango.
2. Flip the mango around and repeat this cut on the other side. The resulting ovals of mango flesh are known as the “cheeks.” What’s left in the middle is mostly the mango seed.
3. Next, hold one half of the mango and using a small paring knife cut a grid down into the fruit but not through the skin. Cut about a 1/2″ grid for a larger dice mango, or 1/4″ for smaller dice mango.
4. Scoop the diced mango pieces out of the mango skin using a large spoon into a bowl.

For mango slices: Once you have removed the seed, simply slice each side of the mango from one end to the other in about 1/2″ long slices without slicing through the skin. Scoop out slices and enjoy in your favorite recipe!

Mango Fun Facts:

• Mangos are one of the most popular fruit in the World
• Mangos were first grown in India over 5,000 years ago
• Mango seeds traveled with humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America beginning around 300 or 400 A.D.
• The paisley pattern, developed in India, is based on the shape of a mango
• A basket of mangos is considered a gesture of friendship in India
• Legend says that Buddha meditated under the cool shade of a mango tree
• Mangos are related to cashews and pistachios
• A mango tree can grow as tall as 100 feet
• The bark, leaves, skin, and pit of the mango have been used in folk remedies for centuries

Mango Health Benefits:

• Powerful in antioxidants which help fight cancer
• Compounds found in mangos may help protect the body against oxidative stress and damage.
• Mangos can reduce chronic inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases.
• Mangos (in moderation) may actually help to improve blood sugar control
• Studies are showing the micronutrients in mangos may fight cancer

Mango Nutrition Information:

• A one-cup serving of mangos is 100 calories
• Mangos provide 100% of your daily vitamin C
• 35% of your daily vitamin A
• 12% of your daily fiber

How To Pick A Ripe Mango:

• A red mango is not always a ripe mango
• Gently press a mango to judge ripeness, a ripe mango will “give” slightly
• A firm mango will ripen at room temperature over a few days
• To speed up ripening, place mangos in a paper bag at room temperature
• Once ripe, mangos can be moved to the refrigerator to slow down ripening for several days

Melissa’s Produce has several varieties of mangos available all year.  Most of the mangos sold in the U.S. come from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, and Haiti.

 This post is sponsored by Melissa’s Produce. All opinions are my own.

Lots of Ways To Eat Mangos

• Try sprinkling a squeeze of lime, a little salt, or Tajin ~ a unique spice blend made with lime, world-class chilies and sea salt.
• Mangos are great in smoothies, salads, dressings, or mixed into tropical salsas. They also pair well with fish, chicken or pork, go well in desserts, or as a healthy delicious snack.
• In many Latin American countries, mangos are served peeled on a stick and sold by street vendors.
• Mangos have natural tenderizing properties, making them a perfect ingredient in marinades for grilling.

So there you have it, lots of ways to eat mangos and tips to be a star chef in your kitchen. Whether you buy a mango splitter or not is up to you, I really enjoy mine and it makes the job much easier but you don’t need one to enjoy a sweet juicy mango anytime.

All The Best Dishes,

Lisa

XO