In summer, Mamey Sapote (mah-MAY sah-PO-tay) fruits start to show up in the fruit markets. A mamey resembles an avocado covered with what looks and feels like finely ground cork. When cut open, the insides are a garish red-orange, and the single huge seed is shiny brown with a matte tan stripe. The mamey’s taste and texture are similar to a papaya crossed with a sweet potato. It’s ripe when the flesh has slight give when you press it, like an overripe avocado.
If you are lucky, you might find a restaurant or food stand offering mamey milkshakes, ice cream, or smoothies, and it’s supposed to make a pretty good marmalade or jelly. But you can eat a mamey raw with a spoon, too, or chunk it up into a fruit salad.
If you’re particularly health conscious, Mamey is the fruit for you! It’s a great source of Vitamin B6, and C, and a good source of Vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, manganese, potassium and fiber. While it’s tempting to plant that giant shiny seed, don’t bother. Mameys don’t grow “true to seed” – the ones you get in the markets are from grafted trees.
This looks delicious! I’ll bet you could mix mashed pieces with some smooshed banana, a little lemon juice and some milk — coconut milk? Amond milk? and a few ice cubes and make your own shake! Sounds good to me. And what a pretty color!