By Carolyn Twesten, Weaver Street Market Produce Merchandiser
This week’s owner coupon is buy one get one free on all fresh mangos. Learn more about the coupon below.
Ataulfo, Honey, Champagne, Manila… What’s in a name? In the case of these names, they all belong to our most beloved mango at Weaver Street Market (and I think I speak for everyone everywhere).
We first saw ataulfo mangos on the market about 15 years ago, when one of our early produce managers bought an entire pallet of them. We were shocked at his moxie, dubious that a mango could be so good that we could sell an entire pallet in a few days. What was born that year was a Weaver Street Market tradition of spring MANGO MADNESS, a love of this little yellow fruit that could not be broken. These delicious beauties arrive to us in March, just when we are in need of a sign of spring, and the season goes through June (give or take a few weeks).
All about Ataulfos
So what it is about these mangos that makes them so special? They are a pint-sized mango, with smooth skin that turns from green to yellow as they ripen. The flesh is creamy and free of the fibrousness that mangos sometimes have. And the flavor! Sweet-tart and tropical, delicious in a mango parfait, a smoothie, or all on its own. If you’ve never been keen on mangos, give these a try.
Another great attribute of the ataulfo mango is that the pit is relatively small compared to some other mango varieties, which means a better flesh-to-pit ratio. Unsure of how to get the flesh out of the skin in a mess-free (ok, relatively—it IS a mango after all) and efficient way? Check out this diagram, or watch the video below:
How to Ripen the Perfect Mango
If you’re like me, you’ll want to “stage” your mangos in different phases of ripeness for a steady supply of perfectly sweet mangos all the time. Ataulfos start out firm, with greenish skin, and turn softer and yellower as they ripen. The skin will also start to wrinkle just as they reach peak ripeness, so don’t be turned away by a wrinkly mango if you plan to eat it pretty immediately.
Mangos, as with most tropical fruits, prefer to be stored at room temperature as they ripen. To give your less-than-ripe mangos a little ripening encouragement, place them in a bag with a banana (this works great with avocados, too!). If you have a mango that is ripe that you want to hold for an extra day or two, it can be refrigerated until you are ready to eat it.
Mango Recipes
Craving a sweet treat? Grab a mango instead of a cookie! Mangos are high in vitamins C and A, as well as fiber, making the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream slower while providing essential nutrients to the body.
Need some ideas on ways to enjoy your delicious Ataulfo mangos? They are delicious enjoyed simply as is, or in a mango parfait or smoothie. The tropical flavor of mango also pairs wonderfully with shrimp or mild fish. I love to make a mango salsa to top my shrimp tacos!
Carolyn’s salsa recipe: https://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/carolyns-avocado-mango-salsa/
Here are the other mango recipes we’ve posted through the years: https://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/?s=mango&cat=4
This week’s owner coupon is buy one get one free on all fresh mangos, good March 27 to April 3, 2019. Owners, look for the coupon in our weekly e-news, sent on Wednesday morning. If you didn’t get the coupon, you may need to update your email address in our owner database. Contact us at ownershares@weaverstreetmarket.coop.
Not an owner? Become one today to receive the weekly owner coupon as well as the other benefits of ownership, like invitations to the Co-op Fair, a logo T-shirt and bag, and the right to vote in board elections. Learn more here.