Dishing Up: Mango Salsa

Are you up for mango salsa?

I bought a mango! Are you surprised – this is something new to me.

Yup, first time. Buying a mango. I know – weird right?

But, it isn’t weird for me. Okay, don’t tell anyone, but I sort of have an issue with fruit. It’s not that I don’t like it – I just don’t naturally crave it. 

I know –  what kind of dietitian am I?

So, I have to make an extra effort to include fruit. There I said it. It takes effort for me to include fruit. There I said it. Again. Surprised…again?

Well, nobody’s perfect. I’m trying. And I’m getting better.

And, you know what I think the problem is? I don’t have a sweet tooth. Give me something salty, spicy, savory, and crunchy – I’m a happy girl. Fruit? Eh.

Anway, back to the mango and the mango salsa it turned into.

Do you know how it happened? Well, let me tell you. It was a hot day, as it usually is the end of June in the midwest, and I was visiting a new supermarket. Much to my delight the produce was displayed like a farmer’s market stand.

Me = sucker for farmer’s market – real or faux.

So, I walk by this display of mangoes. And suddenly – I don’t know if the humidity and heat was getting to me  or what – I was feeling tropical. A mango might be a fun thing to try . Hmmm…a mango? Yes, why not? I am sure I can figure out something to do with this.

And so there you have it. One small mango went into my basket. Okay, I contemplated getting two but then thought that maybe being a little crazy. I mean let’s see if I like mango before investing in two at a time – right?

But then you know what I realized? Other than being a margarita flavor, I don’t know anything about mangoes. What kind of story does this fruit have and are there any health benefits of eating a mango? Or can I use it in a savory dish or is it just going to sit on top of my Greek yogurt?

Well, after some research, I discovered this is one popular fruit. Did you know that the mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines? And more mangoes are eaten every day over every other fruit? Or how about mangoes are related to cashews and pistachios?

Interesting piece of fruit, right? 

Mangoes are a great source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, aka vitamin A. So this means is this little fruit will help our immune system, our eyes and keep our cells growing. But wait, that’s not all, it’s also an antioxidant.

Yup, you got it, it’s an antioxidant, therefore it’s a superhero!

Ah, so what to do with this little guy? Well, since I was feeling tropical, I knew I wanted to do something fun and different.

I checked through my kitchen of ingredients and I was inspired. Cod. Red cabbage. Fresh corn tortillas. Black beans. Jalapenos. Hmmm, looks the makings of fish tacos to me. And tacos need salsa. Therefore, mango salsa was born!

And in the end, the tacos were oh so tasty and the salsa was the perfect compliment. I am pretty proud of going outside my box this week and looking forward to my next adventure.

Have you tried anything new recently? I would love to hear about it!