Put de lime in de salsa: If you only know the mango as a smoothie ingredient, you’re missing out. Besides being luscious, sweet, fragrant and juicy, the mango is a nutritional powerhouse, low in calories and high in essential vitamins and antioxidants, and a good source of fiber.

Choose fruits that are relatively free of bruises and blemishes. A ripe mango should give slightly when pressed gently with your thumb and should give off a slightly sweet aroma.

This recipe for mango-lime salsa is excellent as a topping for grilled chicken and pork or as an accompaniment to fish tacos. Served with tortilla chips, it’s a nice alternative to the standard tomato salsa.

MANGO-LIME SALSA

Flesh of 1 ripe mango, diced (11/2 cups)

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (optional)

1/8 teaspoon salt

In a medium bowl, combine the mango, onion, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno (if using) and salt. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Associated Press