How to Tangle with a Mango!

Yes, it is possible to love something that has a large, flat, hairy pit!

Such is our love affair with the mango,

an enticing fruit with a peach like flavor and flowery aroma.

Getting to the fruit, however, is nothing to love!

Each of these gadgets were designed to enable you to eat a mango 
"on the half shell" ~ 
cutting the fleshy "cheeks" completely off each side of the pit.

The Mango Splitter by OXO works on a similar note to an apple sectioner. You hope the fruit is perfectly shaped, place the mango splitter centered on top, add some serious heft and the mango splits in two with the pit remaining in the center (just waiting, I might add, for you to eat any 

remaining fruit clinging to it over the kitchen sink, wet washcloth in hand). 

It's a handy little thing to have around if mangoes make 

regular appearances in your kitchen.

The Mango Knife by Van Vacter could, quite honestly, be the perfect mango tool. 

It's a quick and easy way to split, dice and peel a mango. It features a curved blade that allows you to get more fruit from your mango (assuming it's ripe), following the contours of the fruit after cubing with the tip.

The long, nonslip handle makes it easy to maneuver 
even when the mango is so juicy you're

"lost in the tropics of Ohio."

Diced fresh mangoes, warmed in a skillet and tossed in plain Greek yogurt is one of my favorite treats...but I would be remiss if I didn't long for those great mango margaritas I make as well. 

These are two gadgets that will be used in my kitchen often.

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries any of these products.

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, www.bevshaffer.com or at bev.foodwithattitude@gmail.com.