If poison ivy and poison oak give you a rash, then their sumac-family relative the mango may, too. Extra care is all that's necessary to avoid the itchy toll mangoes exact for their delicious flesh. And with a little knowledge of mango anatomy, you get the most fruit for your labors. If you're prone to skin allergies, follow steps 1, 2, and 6 carefully. If you're not affected by mango skin, you can skip those precautions.
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At the grocery store, use a produce bag turned inside out to pick up the mango.
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At home, do not touch your eyes or any exposed skin while preparing the fruit. Start by scrubbing the peel with mild dish soap and then rinsing thoroughly.
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Hold the mango on a cutting board so it is standing on its narrowest edge. While imagining the flat, oval pit inside, slice about a third of the fruit off one side. Turn the fruit 180 degrees and do the same on the other side. You should be left with about an inch-wide piece in the middle containing the pit.
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Score each side of the mango into 1/2-inch cubes, taking care not to slice through the skin. Turn inside out, and you have an attractive display. Slice the cubes from the skin with a small knife.
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Take the piece containing the pit, pare the skin off, and slice remaining flesh from the seed.
- Scrub your hands and forearms with dish soap.
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