Mango

Mangoes grow in a wide variety of shapes (oblong, kidney and round) and sizes. Their thin, tough skin is green and, as the fruit ripens, becomes yellow with beautiful red mottling. The fragrant flesh is a brilliant golden orange, exceedingly juicy and exotically sweet and tart. The fruit must be carefully carved away from the seed with a sharp knife.

Underripe fruit can be placed in a paper bag at room temperature. Ripe mangoes can be placed in a plastic bag and held in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Mangoes need no embellishment and are delicious simply peeled and eaten plain. They're also wonderful in fruit salads and have long been made into chutney.

Fresh mangoes are rich in vitamins A, C and D.