Mango Peeling Tips: How to Easily Peel Mangoes with Spoons, Peelers, and Oven Tricks

A Sweet Life With Mango: Peeling Techniques for the Kitchen

As we roll into mango season, it's time to master the art of peeling this juicy tropical fruit. While mangoes can be enjoyed out-of-hand, learning proper peeling techniques allows you to incorporate mangoes into a variety of dishes. With the right tricks, you'll be able to easily peel mangoes for salads, salsas, chutneys, and more. Join us as we share our best mango skinning hacks, perfect for the home cook.

Selecting Mangoes for Peeling

Not all mangoes are created equal when it comes to peeling. To make the peeling process as easy as possible, choose mangoes that are ripe but still firm. Mangoes that are underripe will have skin that clings stubbornly to the flesh. On the other hand, mangoes that are overripe tend to have skin that slips off on its own, making them messy to work with.

Give the mango a gentle squeeze to gauge its ripeness. A ripe, firm mango will give just slightly. The skin should be taut, not wrinkled. Mangoes that feel soft or squishy are overripe. Avoid mangoes with bruises, as damaged skin is harder to peel. For the best peeling results, select mangoes that are uniformly firm and free of blemishes.

Prepping Mangoes for Peeling

Before you can peel a mango, you need to prep it properly. Here are some tips:

• Wash the mango under cool running water to remove any dirt and residue.
• Trim away the stem end, cutting close to the fruit. This gives you a flat surface to work with.
• Stand the mango upright and use a sharp knife to slice off the cheeks, cutting close to the pit on both sides.
• Score the mango cheeks in a crisscross grid pattern, without cutting through the skin.

Scoring the mango makes the skin easier to peel away. Now you're ready to move on to the fun part - peeling!

Peeling Mangoes with a Spoon

A spoon is a simple peeling tool that everyone has handy in their kitchen drawer. Here's how to use a spoon to neatly peel mangoes:

1. Start at the stem end of the scored mango cheek.
2. Slide the tip of the spoon just between the skin and flesh. Gently pry the skin away from the fruit to get it started.
3. Work the spoon down the mango cheek, gliding it along next to the skin to separate it from the flesh.
4. Peel the skin downward and away from you. Let the spoon do the work!
5. Once the first cheek is peeled, repeat the process on the second cheek.

With practice, you'll be able to spoon peel mangoes swiftly. The spoon technique works best on ripe mangoes. For stubborn skin, you may need to try another method.

Peeling Mangoes Like a Pro

If you eat a lot of mangoes, investing in a mango pitter and peeler tool can make your life easier. This handheld tool fits in the palm of your hand. Here's how to use it:

1. Place the scored mango cheek skin-side down in the peeler cup.
2. Press the tooth down along one edge of the skin to separate it from the flesh.
3. Slide the peeler down the mango cheek while applying gentle pressure to loosen the skin.
4. Rotate the mango cheek and repeat on all sides until the skin is completely loosened.
5. Remove the peeled cheek and slice or dice as desired.

The peeler's teeth lift the skin away from the fruit cleanly and swiftly. With one of these specialized tools, you'll be able to peel mangoes like a professional.

Baking Your Way to Peeled Mangoes

Here's an outside-the-box peeling trick: Use your oven! The heat from the oven helps loosen the mango skin for easy removal.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Place scored mango cheeks on a baking sheet skin-side up.
3. Bake for 10 minutes, until the skin begins to wrinkle and separate from the flesh.
4. Carefully remove the hot mangoes using tongs or a spatula.
5. Using a knife or spoon, gently peel away the loosened skin.

Keep a close eye to avoid over-baking. Once the skin separates, the peeling process is easy. The heat does the tough work for you!

Tips for Peeling Mangoes Fuss-Free

With the right techniques, peeling mangoes doesn't have to be intimidating. Here are some final tips for stress-free mango skin removal:

• Always opt for ripe, firm mangoes that feel heavy for their size.
• Use a sharp paring knife and take care when slicing off the mango cheeks.
• Score the cheeks into a checkerboard pattern before attempting to peel.
• Work slowly and gently when using a spoon or peeler so the skin comes off cleanly.
• Try the baking method for mangoes with thick, stubborn skin.
• Peel over a plate or bowl to catch any juices and flesh.
• If needed, use a vegetable peeler on any remaining bits of skin.

With these mango peeling tricks, you'll be ready to use mangoes in all your favorite summery recipes. The sweet, tropical flavor of mango can be enjoyed in salsas, chutneys, smoothies, and more. Peel with confidence and take your mango game to the next level.

FAQs

How can I tell if a mango is ripe enough to peel?

Choose mangoes that give slightly when gently squeezed. The skin should be taut, not wrinkled. Avoid mangoes that are very soft or have bruises.

What's the easiest way to peel a mango?

Using a spoon to separate the skin from the flesh is an easy peeling method. Insert the tip of the spoon next to the skin and glide it along the mango to lift off the skin.

Do I need a special tool to peel mangoes?

You can peel mangoes with a simple spoon or paring knife. For faster peeling, a handheld mango pitter/peeler is useful for prepping lots of mangoes.

Does scoring the mango help remove the skin?

Yes, scoring the mango cheeks before peeling allows you to peel off neat sections and helps separate the skin from the flesh.

Can I peel mangoes in the oven?

Baking mangoes before peeling helps loosen the skin for easy removal. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes before gently peeling away the skin.