Magnificent mangos!
Apple of the tropics
Maura Curley
It could have been immortalized in Eden, and William Tell might have shot an arrow through one.
That's because the mango, known as the apple of the tropics, is the most widely consumed fruit in the world.
You can get fresh mangos year round in the Caribbean, but during summer months they're absolutely abundant.
Even festivals are held in their honor in St. Croix and St.Thomas. St. Croix's big " mango melee" is staged in June at St George's Bontanical Gardens.
Carlos Robles, extension specialist for the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Services, says there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos around the globe, with at least 75 in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
While there is nothing quite like a slice of ripe raw mango, this fabulous fruit can be prepared many ways. You can find them cubed in a tropical salsa, pureed into smoothies, stewed into jams, and chutneys, and infused into sauces and sorbets. A mango is also a very good tenderizing agent, making it an ideal marinade.
Mangos can actually make you feel better too. Rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, they contain enzymes that act as digestive aids, which create a sense of well being.
virginvoices.com mango photo by D.B. Bostdorf
Maura Curley is publisher of virginvoices.com
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