A Celebration of Mangoes

HAPPY NATIONAL MANGO DAY!

Photo by HOTCHICKSING on Unsplash

Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits. Besides the obvious yummy flavor, mangoes are a rich source of critical vitamins and minerals that have many positive effects on health. Did you know there are 55 varieties of mangoes in the world?  Alfonso, Kent Langra, Chaunsa, Raspuri, Keitt, and Gir Kesar are just a few types. I probably consumed only 2 or 3 varieties ever. What is your favorite type?

Photo by Rajendra Biswal on Unsplash

Whenever my family and I visited my ammamma in India, she had ripe mangoes picked from the tree in her backyard for us to enjoy during our visit. The mangoes she grew were the kind where you squeeze the juice out and enjoy. Those were good times!  

How are you enjoying mangoes on National Mango Day? There are so many ways to enjoy them like eating fresh, ripe mango slices or indulging in a range of mango-based meals including mango salsa, mango smoothies, mango lassi, and mango ice cream. 

Below are desserts we love making with mangoes. We used mango pulp for many of these recipes. You can use fresh, ripened mango as well; the taste may vary depending on the sweetness. 

1) Mango Mousse is a crowd-pleaser; you only need 4 ingredients to make this easy dessert. 

Mango Mousse

2) Mango Pistachio Kulfi (Indian ice cream) -- When I visited one of our family friends, she taught me how to make this dessert. She enjoys cooking just as much as I do. This dessert has 6 ingredients and is also easy to make. Great for parties, dates, or if your in-laws are visiting. Surprise them with your culinary skills. 

3) Mango Lassi - I love this drink because not only is it delicious but full of probiotics. We blend together mango pulp, Desi dahi (yogurt), and ice to make this drink. This is the best for those hot, sweltering summer days. 

4) All of the aunties in my family always call this dessert mango pie but it tastes like cheesecake. Don't get hung up on the name, just make it and indulge!

Is it a pie or cheesecake? I leave it up to you to decide.

Don't forget to check out 'Celebration of Mangoes - Part 2', where we share recipes using raw or unripe mangoes. 

Hello, hello everyone! Did you miss our posts? It's been a fun and busy year for us so far. We've been spending more time with family and enjoyed discovering foodie delights outside of our kitchen. Thank you for following our blog and trying our recipes. 

Happy Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand and Sajibu Nongma Panba!

May the flavor of raw mangoes, raw neem, and jaggery remove all bitterness and add sweet flavors to your life. Let's put the shadows of the past behind and look forward to a new beginning. Happy Ugadi!

If you follow the Gregorian calendar, you celebrate the New Year on January 1st. Did you know there are many people around the world that celebrate the New Year on a different day every year? 

My family follows the Lunar calendar and our New Year (Ugadi) was today, March 22nd. Ugadi is celebrated by Hindus from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Goa. 

On Ugadi, we celebrate the New Year by drinking Ugadi pachadi which is made with different ingredients, such as green mango, tamarind juice, fresh or dried neem flower, and banana. 

I made the 'pachadi' with the ingredients I had at home and then my husband and I drank it. It was more sour than sweet. 

We also make some dishes on the occasion. My mom made Halwa Puri, Mango Pulihora, and Sabudana Pakora. I am looking forward eating these yummy foods when I visit my parents in a couple of weeks. 

Mango Pulihora, Sabudana (Tapioca) Pakora and Halwa Puri

Did you know that a new year also started today for:

- Marathi people from Maharashtra and they know it as Gudi Padwa

- Sindhi people and they know it Cheti Chand

- Manipuris and they know it as Sajibu Nongma Panba

I love learning about new cultures and traditions. How did you celebrate the new year today? Share with us.