Education: In-Season Mangos

Three Mango Salsas for the Summer

By: Natasha Marsalli | Posted on: 08/21/2012 at 01:00 AM

One of the perks of living in Florida is the local availability of exotic fruits like fresh mango year-round. Not only are they deliciously sweet, but mangos are also bursting with antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamins A, B, and E making them a nutritious addition to any meal or dish. They can be a little intimidating to prepare since their thin skin must be peeled and you must cut around the large, fibrous pit in the center of the fruit. Chef Allen Susser has a great video demonstration on how to slice and dice your fruit which you can watch here. Once skinned and chopped, mango can be served on its own, mixed into fruit salads, or be paired with other readily-available and refreshing summer flavors- like smokey chipotle, cooling cucumber, and sweet peach- to create delicious salsas that are equally tasty served with tortilla chips or as a condiment on grilled chicken, pork, or shrimp. Below are three easy and refreshing mango salsas to enliven your summer meals, but be warned: if you choose not to remove the seeds from your jalapenos or chipotles, you are in for some intense heat! Always use kitchen gloves and a dose of caution when preparing spicy peppers to avoid skin irritation. 

Mango-Chipotle Salsa
Two ripe mangos, peeled, chopped coarsely
¼ c. red onion, finely chopped
2 canned chipotle chilies in adobo, minced (remove seeds for milder option)
Juice of one lime
¼ c. cilantro, minced
Pinch salt

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until chilled.

Mango-Cucumber Salsa
1 mango, peeled, chopped coarsely
½ cucumber, seeds removed, finely chopped
¼ c. red onion, finely chopped
½ fresh jalapeno, finely chopped (remove seeds for milder option)
Juice of one lime
One spring mint, leaves julienned
¼ c. cilantro, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until chilled.

Mango-Peach Salsa
1 mango, peeled, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 c. tomato, finely chopped
1 fresh peach, coarsely chopped
¼ c. red onion, finely chopped
½ jalapeno, finely chopped (remove seeds for milder option)
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of half lime
¼ c. cilantro, minced

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until chilled.