Uses for Excess Mangoes

November 24, 2008 Ben General

It’s criminal to let mangoes go to waste, but this year there are just too many to poke a stick (or many sticks) at. Almost everyone I know has a mango tree, or knows someone else who does, so there is little way to give them away.

Please don’t hurl abuse for the waste, but this photo was taken tonight after I raked them all up. There are three more piles just like them. Most have been chewed upon by fruit bats or native birds, but there are some that fell to their death and bruised very badly.

A couple of recipies that I’ve been using to preserve these mangoes:

Mango Chilli Chutney
Makes 6 x 125ml jars

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 brown onions, chopped coarse
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon fresh chilli
2 cups firmly packed soft brown sugar
Finely grated zest & juice of 2 limes
8 Fresh mangoes
1/2 cup malt vinegar

1. Heat oil in saucepan, cook onion, garlic & ginger stirring till onion is soft. Stir in chilli, sugar and zest, then mango and vinegar.

2. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, for 55 minutes or until mixture thickens and is syrupy. Stir in lime juice.

3. Ladle chutney into clean sterilised jars; seal immediately. Cool to room temperature. Label, date and store in the fridge.

chutney, mangoes, preserving fruit