That is the question. Wait? What Melee? Why, the annual Mango Melee, of course.
Every July, the St. George Village Botanical Gardens host a summer favorite on island celebrating everything Mango. This luscious fruit is bountiful on our island during the summer months. So much so, that you see people on the side of the road and other places they shouldn’t be ‘teefing dem. (taking the with out land-owners permission). So much so that people have posted warning signs! Sigh.
Mango Melee is a fun celebration for everyone of all ages. Not only do they have vendors who sell everything mango from salsa, lotions, soaps, artwork, ice cream (this was where SC tasted her FIRST ice cream- MANGO of course!), but fun stuff as well, like a Mango Eating Contest. And the most popular Mango Dis, Mango Dat competition, where your dish is judge on the best use of mangoes, taste, creativity & presentation. (the ideas are swirling above my head for presentation…) The categories are Sips, Salsas, Sweets & Cruzan Flavored Rum Drink
Last July, with my Mother visiting, we decided to enter the contest and bake something sweet. Mom had seen a terrific recipe, so we gave it a test run. Well, needless to say, she & the Fisherman loved it. I was not a fan. And promptly nixed the idea. They were bummed, but that is how the cookie crumbles. (remember the hunt for Almond Butter, only to find it for $14 a jar at the health food store???)
I have been thinking about the cook- off lately and today when I sat to flip through my Coastal Living, there were some SCRUMPTIOUS Mango recipes! A sign? I think so. So, I am going to give these recipes a few test runs on friends and Fisherman. Like what? Well:
Tuna-Mango Sashimi Salad. Yum. Mango-Shrimp Cocktail. Double Yummy. And my M-I-L just sent me a link to Mahi-Mango Tostadas. That is just way to fun to say! I want to go a different route this year.
Wish me luck! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
