Calling all Food Chemists: Mango salsa and my mango allergy...

[ReneeV]

Hi,

I found a recipe on Eating Well's website for Mango salsa that looked easy and tastey. It involves adding fresh mango, fresh cilantro and fresh lime juice to jarred salsa.

I'd like to give it a try, but here's my problem: I LOVE mango, but I'm allergic to fresh mango. I can eat processed or cooked mango, even frozen but not fresh. I believe it is the enzymes in the mango which cause the allergic reaction. Do you think just freezing it would be enough to "deactivate" those enzymes or do I need to cook it first?

Any ideas or info?

Thanks!
Renée

[wallycat]

First, what kind of allergy?? I mean, do you swell up and get anaphylactic shock type of allergy or just hives??

If just hives, I'd experiment with zapping in microwave maybe or flash boiling or simply using canned.

If anaphylactic shock type of allergy---move on....a mango isn't worth it.

I'm still dragging my heals to take my avocado challenge...and I worship avocadoes...but haven't touched one since "the incident" ...so if you can't be sure, don't risk it.

[Ohioan]

If all else fails, try substituting peaches or nectarines for the mangoes. They won't be quite the same, but they'll do in a pinch.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[valchemist]

I don't know anything about allergies but I do know that enzymes are denatured by heat, not by cold. So I don't think freezing the mango would help you.

[ReneeV]

Thanks Guys,
Nothing as serious as anaphylactic shock, thank goodness. Just bad hives. Looks like a quick boil or a zap in the micro is the way to go.

In the future, I'll probably use frozen or canned, but fresh ones were on sale at the grocery, so for some inexplicable reason I bought one. (Alas, I can't resist a good bargin!)

I'll let you know how the salsa turns out. I love homemade, but this sounds like it would be good and quick in a pinch.

Renée

[Melman]

I made this salsa a couple of weeks ago!! I really liked it! For ease and simplicity, it can't be beat!!! I ate some of it with grilled chicken. EXCELLENT!!

I was also going to suggest peaches if you're too worried about using fresh mangos. Sounds like you have that worked out though!

Enjoy!!