The mango is native to eastern India and Burma. The fruit is now grown around the world in frost-free tropical and subtropical climates. There are hundreds of named cultivars with various shapes, sizes, coloring, and texture. Fruit quality is often based on the scarcity of fiber, size of pit, and taste. Oils in the mango sap, skin, and even leaves can cause dermatitis. Even if one is sensitive to this, a peeled mango or drinking its juice usually causes no harm. Mangoes are high in Vitamin C and fiber and can be eaten in many ways.

Preparation

Mango Dices

1. Stand the mango on your cutting board stem end down and hold. Place your knife about 1/4″ from the widest center line and cut down through the mango. Flip the mango around and repeat this cut on the other side. The resulting ovals of mango flesh are known as the “cheeks.” What’s left in the middle is mostly the mango seed.
2. Cut parallel slices into the mango flesh, being careful not to cut through the skin. Turn the mango cheek 1/4 rotation and cut another set of parallel slices to make a checkerboard pattern.
3. Here’s where you can choose your favorite method. Either “Slice and Scoop”—scoop the mango slices out of the mango skin using a large spoon—or “Inside Out”—turn the scored mango cheek inside out by pushing the skin up from underneath, and scrape the mango chunks off of the skin with a knife or spoon.

Mango Slices

1. Slice each side just past the seed.
2. Slice flesh without breaking the skin.
3. Scoop out slices and enjoy!

Red Russian kale is easily recognized by its richly colored burgundy stems and purple tinted leaves. They are flat and toothed like an oak leaf with an overall dark green color and deep red veins. It offers a mild nutty flavor that is slightly sweet and earthy with a hearty texture. When choosing Red Russian kale look for fresh, bright, firm leaves.

The pineapple is an amazing low-calorie, fat free, cholesterol free, low-sodium fruit that is one of very few edible members of the bromeliad family. Its formation is curious in that each scale of the pineapple is actually an individual berry, and these berries fuse together around the central core of the fruit. When it comes to their nutrition content, pineapples contain high amounts of Vitamin C, manganese, are a great aid for digestion because of the dietary fiber they offer. It’s also a great source for energy, thanks to its thiamin content, which is a variety of B Vitamin.

Preparation

1. Lay the fruit on its side and, grasping it firmly with one hand, slice off the leafy crown and the base with a large, sharp knife.

2. Stand the pineapple on end and slice off the prickly rind in seven or eight downward strokes, cutting deep enough each time to remove the eyes.

3. Divide the fruit into quarters, and cut the triangular section of core away from each quarter.

4. Lay each quarter on its side and slice it crosswise into wedges of the desired thickness.