At Nacho Hippo we strive to utilize unique flavor combinations to create out-of-this-world dishes that wow our guests’ palates. So it should come as no surprise that mangos have found their way onto our menu in a few different ways. Let’s explore this tropical, floral-tasting fruit in this month’s blog.
Mangos are edible stone fruit (think peaches, apricots, plums, or cherries) produced by a tropical tree of the same name. It is believed to have originated in the northeastern parts of India. There are several hundred cultivars of mangos around the world. Depending on where it comes from, mangos can vary in size, shape, sweetness, skin color, and flesh color. Mangos are so popular in Southeast Asia they are actually the national tree of Bangladesh and the national fruit of India and Pakistan.
Mango trees can grow to be 100 feet or taller and can still produce fruit after 300 years. Mango trees produce a small, white flower before producing the fruit. The fruit can be yellow, orange, red, or green and has a mild, yet, distinctive sweet fragrance.
Mangos were introduced into Africa by Persian traders in the 9th and 10th centuries, spread further during the Colonial Era, and then brought to Brazil by the Portuguese Empire. By the mid-18th century, mangos had found their way north into the Caribbean and Mexico. Mangos are grown in most tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Mangos are used in many culinary applications. Mango pulp can be made into jelly or preserves, unripe mangos are used to make mango chutney (think mango relish), mango juice, and different types of curries. Of course, it can also be cut into cubes and eaten on its own thanks to a flavor that tastes a bit like the combination of oranges, peaches, and pineapple all together.
At Nacho Hippo we rely on those flavors to create a couple of fresh combinations. Mango habanero salsa, mango pico de gallo, and our mango habanero sauce.
Mango habanero salsa is the perfect blend of sweet, ripe mangos, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime with a kick of habanero. It has a terrific sweet and spicy tang with a tropical flair that is absolutely perfect on tortilla chips and tacos. The sweetness of the mango helps to cut through the very strong heat of the habanero pepper, and it serves as a great condiment for fish, chicken, beef, and pork. Word of warning: if you are going to make it at home, make sure you wear gloves when working with the habanero pepper. This salsa will definitely leave you wanting more!
Mango pico de gallo is a fresh, sweet twist on traditional pico. Using lime juice, cilantro, and jalapenos, mango pico de gallo goes perfectly on tacos, nachos, burritos, or anything else you can spread it on.
Our mango habanero sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce that is perfect on wings or shrimp, drizzled on your nachos, or on anything else you desire! Cool off after with a mango margarita!
At Nacho Hippo you can find the sweetness of mango donating its flavor profiles to several of our offerings. You can find the mango habanero salsa as part of the Salsa Sampler, on the Fried Clucker, and the Macho Nachos. The mango pico de gallo is found in the Bangin Shrimp Tacos, and you will find the mango habanero sauce on our Ring o” Fire Quesadilla, in the Chimi-Chimi-Bang Bang and on the !#(Bleep) Hole Nachos. Of course, if you’re really mango crazy, you could get all three when you Build Your Own Nachos!
Curious what else is on the menu? Check it out here.
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