Mangoes and Sugar-Apple Fruit

Mango Delight

My dear friends that share their pummelos with me, also shared their mangoes and Sugar-Apple fruit. They let me go and pick what I needed from their trees and boy did I get a treat. I actually had five mangoes but ate two of them before I could take a photo. Florida mangoes are so juicy and sweet, pure pleasure. With the mangoes I wanted to make "Fresh Mango Cobbler" from Ani Phyo's book, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen. But of course I got off track and made something a tiny bit different. I began making her syrup recipe but here is what I added: dates, coconut oil, vanilla extract, pinch of sea salt, water and 2 dried black mission figs. I decided to throw in the nuts that were suppose to be in the crust recipe. I added pecans, almonds, walnuts, some more vanilla and another pinch of sea salt. Then I threw in 2 T of lecithin powder. It began to form a nice sticky "dough". I used this to top the mango slices. I crumbled it over the top, added some buckwheat krispies and boxwood basil. Delicious and delightful. As I was eating I thought this would be the perfect raw crust for a rhubarb pie!! My husband grew up on Michigan rhubarb that his Dad grew in their yard. He LOVES rhubarb pie. I am determined to create a raw version for him to try. I wish I could get my hands on some Michigan rhubarb!!

I came across some great information on mangoes. I never knew you could shred un-ripe mango and use it in recipes. People refer to un-ripe mangos as "raw". I also was not aware of all the medicinal properties of the mango tree, leaves and fruits. Look here for more information:

Medicinal values of Mango

by Shilpa

08.06.2006

Posted in Home Remedies

Who does not like mango? Many of us have fond memories of our childhood like getting to stone the mango tree for fresh raw mangoes, playing in mango groves etc. But how many of us know about the medicinal values of this tasty fruit?

I still remember when we were kids, my parents used to force me and my brother to brush our teeth with tender mango leaf and a pinch of salt granules. This is supposed to clean the germs and keep the mouth fresh and odorless. I did not know any other medicinal values of this fruit apart from this. But when I read one article in the old Kannada weekly, I was amazed. It says, every part of the tree has lot of medicinal values. This may be one of the reasons our elders included mango leaves in all the poojas and festivals.

- Chew tender leaves to avoid bleeding in the gums. This reduces pain in the tooth.

- Soak few tender leaves in water overnight and drink the water. This is supposed to help patients with diabetes.

- Eat a piece of raw sour mango with salt and honey, to overcome loose motion, constipation and indigestion.

- Eat raw mango pieces with black pepper and honey to avoid jaundice and other diseases related to stomach and liver.

- Eat mango with salt to overcome thirst and reduces the effects of sun stroke during summer. This is the reason during season, roasted or raw mango pulp mixed with sugar, water and cardamom is served as a drink (‘panaka’) during the festivals like Ramanavami, HanumaJayanti, Gouri thadige etc. This ‘panaka’ and Kosambir with mango is very famous during the above festivals in spring in North and coastal Karnataka.

- Raw mangoes contain more Vitamin C and B compared to ripe mangoes. It is advisable to eat one raw mango a day for better blood circulation during the mango season. It also helps to overcome nervous disorders and helps in improving memory.

- Mangoes that have ripened on the tree are tasty and improve appetite.

- One bowl of mango juice with a pinch of pepper serves as energy source to the body, increases inner glow of the skin and acts as diuretic. It also improves eye sight and immune power of the body. Mango can be used in pickles, chutney, gojju with daily meals. Kids love the jam that is prepared out of Mangoes and sugar.

- Finely ground Mango seeds mixed with buttermilk taken twice a day helps people with piles and such disorders.

- During the mango season, drink a cup of milk after eating one ripe mango. The sugar of mango and protein in the milk helps improving overall health.

Though I believe this information is fairly accurate (since it has come in the weekly), I haven’t tried and tested all of them. I use mango widely during the season in mango paank, mango lassi, clams gravy, pickle, sasam, amras, ghashi/rosu/udid methi, burfi, rasam etc.

This information was found on this site:
http://www.aayisrecipes.com/2006/08/06/medicinal-values-of-mango/


Now I have to share with you one of the strangest fruits I have ever eaten. It was so yummy though, I really liked it. I just wish it weren't so difficult to eat. I was eating it so fast I almost swallowed several of its large black seeds. It is called a Sugar-Apple Fruit. Here is a photo of this strange looking fruit:

 Sugar-Apple Custard

When you cut it open you find several seeds covered with a casing. Underneath the seeds, along the inside of the skin, there is a layer of creamy custard. I actually popped the seed casings into my mouth and worked off all of the sweet covering on the seeds. Just be careful not to swallow them, they are very slippery. Then I took a spoon and scooped out the custard and ate it right off the spoon. These fruits would actually be very portable. Just have a plastic spoon along and a knife and you have a sweet treat on the run. Have a container to collect all of the seeds though. I had to giggle as I was spitting out seed after seed. This might be one of those fruits you don't eat in front of people. :)

Here is some more information about the Sugar-Apple fruit tree:

Nutritional Value of Custard Apple

Given below is nutritional value per 100 gm of custard apple

Thiamine (B1) - 0.05 to 0.08 mg

Vitamin A -1 mg

Riboflavin (B2) - 0.08 to 0.1 mg

Natural Sugar - 14 to 18 gm

Niacin (B3) - 0.5 to 0.8 mg

Carbohydrate - 23.71 gm

Iron - 0.7mg

Total Acidity - 0.4 mg

Energy - 76 to 96 cal (310 to 420 kJ)

Protein - 1 to 4.3 gm

Zinc - 0.2 to 2.7mg

Magnesium - 32 to 88 mg

Copper - 2.4mg

Potassium - 250 to 578 mg

Sodium - 4 to 14 mg

Calcium - 17 to 22 mg

Vitamin C - 22 to 43 mg

Fibre - 1 to 3.2 g

Total Soluble Solids (Brix) - 22.3%

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Custard Apple

Custard apple is a storehouse of Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant and helps in neutralizing free radicals.

Vitamin A present in the fruit is good for hair, eyes and healthy skin.

Custard apple contains magnesium, which plays vital role in relaxing muscles and protecting heart against diseases.

Potassium and Vitamin B6 are also present in custard apple.

Copper is yet another useful ingredient of custard apple.

It is a rich source of dietary fiber, which helps in digestion.

As it contains low fat levels, it is good for maintaining optimum health.

The paste of the flesh of the fruit can be used for local application on ulcers, abscesses and boils.

The fruit, in its unripe form, can be dried, crushed and used for treating diarrhea and dysentery.

Custard apple serves as an expectorant, stimulant, coolant and haematinic and is even useful in treating anemia.

The seeds of the fruit have insecticidal and abortifacient properties.

SOURCE:

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-custard-apple-2171.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar-apple

 THANK YOU Renate and Steve for allowing me to share your wonderful fruits! I have enjoyed many raw meals with them.

~JMJ~ Today I am grateful for generous and loving friends. Be Safe!