I have lived almost my entire life thinking that I didn’t enjoy mangoes. This thought may have entered my mind in college. I tried mangoes at about the same time my roommate’s boyfriend brought over some papaya. I am certain I don’t like papaya, but somehow my brain equated the two fruits.

And so I have avoided mangoes as if they were liver. (Apologies to those who think liver is delicious.)

My worldview, as far as mangoes are concerned, changed this year because of a humble potluck. A group of friends meet each month to share food, conversation and prayer for one another. It is a rich, satisfying experience. My friends are better cooks that I am. I typically bring salad, but they try out new recipes and interesting food combinations. I frequently leave saying “Send me that recipe!” 

At one of these gatherings, a friend brought mango salsa and chips. It was colorful and looked tasty.  I took a small spoonful just in case, but it was even more delicious than it looked. I loved it and immediately went out and bought some mangoes. I read up on how to select a mango, how to tell if it is ripe, and how to cut it up. I made mango salsa and felt like I had discovered a new land.

How could I have been avoiding this glorious fruit for so long?

Later, I found a source of dried unsweetened mango. It has become one of my snack mainstays. Portable, flavorful and low in calories.

What is the moral of this story? Maybe, it is to challenge your assumptions. Challenge those long-held beliefs that might not be true. Re-examine. Re-think. Be open to change.

Grow.

And enjoy those mangoes.

Mango Salsa

• 1 mango (pick one that is soft) diced
• ½ of a small red onion finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ C chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: ½ jalapeno, minced