I must admit that I didn’t used to like mangoes. I guess as child of the 80s I only knew mango-flavoured drinks which were packed full of additives and preservatives. I never liked anything that didn’t taste natural. Well, my attitude towards the mango has certainly changed as I’m lucky to be able to buy the sweet honey mangoes quite cheaply on Walthamstow market. I buy from a guy called Nazakat – you can ‘try before you buy’ and they taste so great you can’t walk away. He sells mainly rice, dates and mangoes.

On Saturday I bought a box of 4 honey mangoes for £4. Before I became addicted to them I used to think a £1 per mango was expensive – but it’s not when you taste these. I will use them in fruit smoothies, mango lassies, salsas and salads. I refuse to cook with them as I think they are gorgeous eaten fresh.

So as the sun is shining and it looks like we may see a glimmer of summer I’m having a BBQ. I’m going to make Nigerian Suya chicken skewers and mango salsa.

Mango Salsa

You need:

• 1 honey mango
• 1 fresh red chilli or dried chilli flakes
• 1 spring onion
• 1 cucumber
• 1-2 limes (juice)
• ½ tsp fresh ginger (peeled)

1      With a sharp knife cut your mango into cubes and put in a bowl
2      Thinly slice the spring onion and add to the mango
3      Finely chop and add the chilli, including the seeds if you like, or add ½ tsp of chilli flakes
4      Dice the cucumber (remove the skin if preferred) and add to the rest of the ingredients
5      Add the juice of 1-2 limes to taste, and grate in about ½ tsp of fresh ginger
6      Season to taste and chill before serving