Summer means one thing in India…well really two things. One, it is hot, the kind of hot that makes you sweat the instant you step outside. Secondly, summer means MANGOES. Indians are CRAZY for mangoes, and now I too understand the obsession with these colorful, sweet fruits. It starts in March, the speculation…when will the season begin? Which neighborhood will receive the first mangoes of the summer? Which type of mango (yes there are many) will yield the sweetest results this year? These initial discussions are followed by rumors of mango sightings in various neighborhoods around the city. These elusive fruits are rumored to be the juiciest and tastiest ever grown in India. Mouths water, tongues wag and everyone, everywhere anxiously awaits the Mango harvest. Then it happens! Mangoes are on every corner, in every shape, size, and ranging from syrupy sweet to tart to bitter. Suddenly every neighborhood vegetable stand is bursting with huge, ripe, yellow MANGOES! Having never tasted a mango and being a person mildly obsessed with all things epicurious, I was obviously quite excited for the season to begin. I badgered my vegetable man for weeks, “WHEN will the mangoes be coming?” Then it happened…my first Mango. If you have never had one go to the store NOW (they should be available at most fancy fruit markets, and even less fancy ones) and buy one. Don’t chop it up obsessively or put it in a smoothie. Eat it like an Indian. Get messy and eat it skin and all, just like the kids in front of my building, most of whom are perpetually sticky these days. Just watch out for the pit!
