I don’t know about you, but mango is my all time favorite fruit. To bring out the sweetness even more, many cultures add a tangy spice mixture of salt, lime and chili pepper. A tangy, spicy, sweet and salty street side snack! This particular snack is common in Mexico, where I spent a part of my childhood, and Central America and is also a common street side snack in India. I just got back from Belize where I was lucky enough to enjoy this by the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha, and I was inspired to make this when I get home.
In the next few months, mangoes are going to start coming into season and this is a wonderful and easy way to enjoy them. Tajin is a spice blend of dehydrated lime, chili peppers and salt that can be bought on Amazon, or at any international and Latino food stores. Trader Joes also sells its own version of Chile Lime seasoning. Their version is slightly less spicy, but still very flavorful.
My favorite mangoes in the U.S. are champagne mangoes, which is sweet and less fibrous. Kent and Mexican mangoes are a close second. The all time best mango in the world is obviously the Alphonso mango available in India and Pakistan.
No Tajin? No Problem!
If you don’t have access to store-bought chili lime seasoning, no problem! It is so easy to make your own, all you need is:
- Cayenne pepper
- Sea salt (or a coarser grind salt)
- Lime
To Prepare
- Cut your lime into cubes. This shouldn’t be complicated. There are many tutorials on how to properly cut a mango, like this one.
- Next, you sprinkle a little chili pepper on top, followed by salt, followed by lime juice.
- Mix well and serve in a cup or spoon. they are made to be eaten with a fork or toothpick.
I hope you enjoy your chili spiced mango and feel the tropical vibes, just like I did when eating them!
