A Real Love Affair with a Mango by Elizabeth Brown, MS, RD

An ode to the mango

Le Sumba el Mango. While researching mangoes, I found that expression on Babalu Blog. I asked a Cuban gentleman, who is near and dear to my heart, what it means. He said “Sumbar means to buzz, such as in your ears, but the expression is that the mango overwhelms you.” “Oh,” I thought, “It does, in so many ways.”

If you’ve ever tried to cut a mango gracefully, you know how difficult it can be. That big seed kind of gets in the way, making a seemingly simple task sometimes awkward. Oftentimes I just peel away the skin and have at it, kind of like having sex. Sometimes things come off and it gets a little messy but hopefully in the end you are very satisfied. Sorry, but it had to be said.

This isn’t the first time there has been a relationship drawn between mangoes and sex. For the slew of avid Seinfeld viewers, you may remember an episode where a mango played a part.

It all started innocently enough, as Seinfeld shows often do, Jerry and George are discussing the difficulty of pleasing a woman. Elaine soon chimes in, and, before you know it, everyone is thinking too hard about what should be a very natural act.

Sex, like eating fruit, should be as nature intended–pure, natural and uninhibited. You might think, “Doesn’t fruit have too much sugar? It’s so sweet. Maybe I shouldn’t eat it.” Nature made it. If you question it, then you are questioning nature. How silly. Just eat the fruit.

Sometimes we think about things too much, overanalyze situations and circumstances. If it feels right, then it is right. George, Jerry and Elaine spend too much time overanalyzing life and sex, and that can sometimes take all the fun out of it. Just relax and enjoy a piece of fresh fruit or whatever else feels natural.

Look what happened to George when he ate a mango.

“Very good. Juicy. Ripe. I feel like I got a B12 shot. This is like a taste explosion,” he said. “Mmmm, so wonderful”, I add.

I had my first mango just a few years ago. Before that I was, dare I say, a mango virgin. But now, OMG, it’s kind of like sex with the right person. It just feels right. Things come off, and it can be a little messy, but in the end, you are very satisfied. Yes, eating mangoes–so worth the wait.

Although George compared mango eating to getting a B12 shot, mangoes actually do not contain any B12. B12 is found primarily in animal sources. However, mangoes do host a bunch of other essential energy enhancing, disease fighting nutrients such as potassium which is used incessantly by working muscles. That will certainly come in handy.

Mangoes are also a wonderful source of those all pervasive, can’t-seem-to-get-enough-of-them antioxidants known as Vitamins C and E. Plus, mango’s biggest claim to fame and the reason they are so ‘pretty’ is their abundance of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. Quite the contrary to Superman’s Kryptonite, cryptoxanthin might make any man or woman “super” by fighting off potential free radical damage.

Try your mangoes freshly sliced or incorporate them into these taste explosions of your own. For whatever happens from there, I am not responsible. Enjoy!

Mango Chutney
3 mangoes, diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
2 green onions, finely diced
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 limes, juiced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper or 6 cranks from mill

In a small bowl mix lime juice, oil and honey.
In a separate mixing bowl add mangoes, peppers and onions.
Coat with “dressing”
Toss with cilantro
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste
Let set for 2 hours Allow flavors to blend
Serve with steamed fish or as a topping for mixed greens

Mango Bar-B-Q Sauce

1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 mango, peeled & chopped
1 Tablespoon canola or olive oil
1 (28oz can) whole tomatoes
1 cup water or brewed tea
1 (6oz can) tomato paste
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup organic molasses
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

To remove skin from tomatoes: Submerge tomato in boiling water. Quickly remove. Run under cool water. Skin should come off easily. In a large, deep skillet (about 13 inch round 2-3 inch deep) heat oil on medium heat. Add chopped vegetables & mango and sauté. Add rest of ingredients. Bring to a slow boil on Med-high heat. Reduce to Medium-Low and simmer for 30 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend all ingredients. Or allow to cool and blend in a blender in 2 cup batches. Label and date and use within two weeks or freeze for up to six months.