"It's Raining in Mango"
Mango season in the tropics
It’s Raining in Mango
The tropical build-up, a season of waiting, yearning, and enduring, is upon us. The heat is oppressive, a damp, sticky cloak that clings to your skin, made heavier by the humidity that seems to rise in visible waves from the earth. The air feels electric, as if charged by the tension of a thousand unshed storms.
The garden is growing wild, heedless of restraint. Vines creep across paths, and the grass rises in tufts that challenge any notion of control. Each day, I’m struck by how the tropics are both giver and taker, fertile and lush but always teetering on the brink of chaos. The possums visit each night, but their share of fruit doesn’t deter the flying foxes, who descend like shadowy acrobats, their wings slicing the warm night air. Evening walks, meant to cool and soothe, turn into battles against clouds of mosquitos and the incessant bites of sand flies.
It’s a time that tests patience and endurance. Yet, it’s also a prelude, a waiting room for the rain. When it does finally come, breaking the feverish heat, the relief is almost spiritual. The world drinks deeply, and everything is transformed. The phrase I’ve adopted, “It’s raining in Mango,” springs to my lips almost instinctively. Borrowed from Thea Astley’s novel, it encapsulates the metaphorical and literal renewal that rain brings, a respite after long suffering. Astley’s Mango is a town, fictional yet vividly real, with stories woven through its tropical heart. My “Mango” is the moment the skies open, and everything feels alive again.
As I write this, the rains are yet to arrive, but the mangoes have. Their golden skins and intoxicating aroma signal abundance amid the build-up’s oppressive weight. Mango season is the reward for enduring this time of year, and it feels only fitting to honour it with recipes that celebrate their versatility and exuberance.
This summer, I’ll share recipes inspired by tropical fruit, beginning with a quartet that showcases both mangoes tangy green youth and its luscious, ripe sweetness:
Green Mango Chutney: A tart and spiced condiment, perfect for balancing rich curries or grilled meats.
Ripe Mango Chutney: A sweeter, more indulgent version that pairs beautifully with cheese or roasted chicken.
Mango and Chilli Ferment: A tangy, spicy ferment that sings of tropical sunshine and bold flavors.
Goan Mango Pickle: A tribute to the robust, salty-sour pickles of India, preserving mangos in a punchy blend of spices.
Each recipe this week tells its own story, steeped in tradition and flavoured by the tropics. Together, they’re a celebration of the mango’s duality: tart and sweet, soft and firm, fleeting yet unforgettable.
As I prepare these recipes and wait for the rain, I’m reminded of how life in the tropics mirrors the themes in Astley’s novel—struggle, renewal, and the undeniable rhythm of nature. Soon, the rain will come, and I’ll say it once again: “It’s raining in Mango.” Until then, we have mangos to sustain us.
©Lisa McLean 2024
How wonderful to have mangoes growing close by. Look forward to seeing what you do with them, Lisa!
Thank you Ed.