Yummy mango!

The manguero is the mango tree(Mangifera India L.) in the Canary Islands. It is one of the tropical fruits that were introduced in the Islands after the emigration of the Canary Islanders to Cuba (and their return). Igueste de San Andrés became, with its returned countrymen, one of the places in Tenerife where the cultivation of these tropical fruits was most successful because at that time (lacking irrigation) it was one of the few enclaves where the conditions were optimal for their growth.

This charming village is located in the valley of Anaga, on the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 15 kilometers from the town of Santa Cruz and is accessed by the winding road TF-121 (which goes to the beach of Las Teresitas). The term “Igueste”, according to some toponymy researchers, is of aboriginal origin and translates as “humid”, a term that characterizes the area of the valley between the ravines. Other scholars consider the term a deformation of the English highest.

Igueste is a town of picturesque white houses, an ideal place to disconnect from its fertile valley full of mango and avocado trees, predominant among other tropical species such as papayas, mamey, guanabana, nisperos, guava trees, etc. The hose trees arrived in the Canary Islands at the end of the 18th century and by 1970 they were already being commercially cultivated, replacing vines and bananas.

The profound influence of Cuban culture is evident in many aspects of the life of the Canary Islanders, with agriculture being no different. The Caribbean origin of the first specimens of these trees has been confirmed by several studies, which establish that from those first trees planted by the returned Canary Island emigrants, others and others and others were born. The first farms that received this tropical tree were “La Hoya La Parra” and “La Renta”.

The mango tree can easily exceed one hundred years of age. Three types of traditional hosepipes can be distinguished in this area: the male, the female and the “moruno”, although the latter has practically disappeared. Male handles are smaller and oblong in shape and have more fibers than the female handle. They are generally said to be tastier than the female. Female mangoes bear somewhat rounder, larger and less fibrous fruit. We can taste this rich tropical fruit in the summer, starting in July. The latter, the female mangos, should not be confused with the mangas, which also exist in Igueste.

Mango is very rich in fiber and water. Nowadays, with the evolution of gastronomy, there are numerous elaborations in which this juicy and tasty fruit can be presented: in sauces, mousses, tartares, ceviches, compotes, but it is clear that the best way to appreciate it is eating it as it is, as the rich fruit that it is.

 

Recipe: Prawn ceviche with avocado and mango

Ingredients: 12 cherry tomatoes or 3 medium tomatoes, 12 prawns, 1 avocado, ½ cucumber, ½ mango, ½ red onion, 50 g sweet corn, cilantro, 2 lemons, 2 limes, pepper, olive oil, a pinch of pepper and salt.

Preparation: chop the pepper and coriander and set aside, as well as one lemon (cut into slices). Squeeze the limes and the other lemon and strain, add to the above and let them integrate. Then add the cleaned prawns and leave to macerate. To assemble the dish, dice the avocado, mango and cucumber, tomatoes and onion, then add the millet and marinated prawns. Season with oil and citrus liquid, salt and pepper. Before consumption, it should be left to stand in the refrigerator for about thirty minutes. Garnish with the lime slices and cilantro.