Mangoes

The two main types of this tropical fruit are oval ones with a skin that ranges from green to orange to red, and kidney-shaped fruit with skin that is a more uniform yellow when ripe. Mangoes have a thin but tough skin and yellow to yellow-orange flesh that is juicy and aromatic. Fruit should be plump and firm, with clear color and no blemishes. Avoid rock-hard fruit, which may not ripen properly.

Let ripen at room temperature until slightly soft. Peel and cut the flesh away from the center stone, or cut in half before peeling, working a thin-bladed knife around both sides of the flat stone.