Raw Green Mango Chutney (Ambuli Chutney)

There is something intriguing about enjoying the season's first produce of Mangoes. Specially my Indian roots remind of the times when mango trees bear flowers during late winter and early spring and leave around a deep redolent wild scent during twilight time. A wait time of few weeks and the trees in every neighborhood bear the most delicious sight one could enjoy - bunches of young raw green mango. If you are lucky and have a kind neighbor, one can also hope for a motley share of season's first Raw Green Mango (Ambuli). Not to forget the riper ones which fetch a sky rocketing price in the local market. And then, finally there is nothing more precious than having the bragging rights to say that you ate the season's first crop of Mangoes which were bought at Rs. 500/- for a dozen.

I got a young green mango and had my heart set out on making some spicy pickle out of it. Just then I remembered my Ma's - Raw Green Mango Chutney also known as Ambuli Chutney, Ambuli implying a raw green mango in Konkani, Tor in Goan Kokani. The one I got was semi-ripe hence my chutney turned yellowish green. The taste was the same - spicy, salty and tangy. If you get a fresh mango which is very young, your chutney will be super tangy with light green hue.

A tiny primer on selecting mangoes for chutney and pickles -
- Do not pick mangoes with reddish green tinge, they are not suitable for pickling. Pick the ones which are plain green.
- The harder the texture of Mango, the better they are suited for pickling and chutney.
- If you are planning on making pickle or chutney, use them soon else they will ripen fast ruining your recipe and plans.
- Do not keep raw green mangoes with rest of the fruits. The gases emanating from rest of the fruits could ripen the young green mango pretty fast.
- If making chutney, peel the mango else your chutney will be bitter.

I am writing this because I learned the hard way round. Considering the expense and labor, its worth to be educated. Thus chutney recipe is fairly simple but a personal favorite of our family. Pairs well with Rotis/ Rice/ Paej.

~ Ambuli Chutney ~
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Processing time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
Raw Green Mango (Tarni Ambuli/ Tor) [peeled, chopped, seed & fiber removed] - 1 cup
Grated coconut (fresh or frozen) - 1 cup
Garlic pods (jumbo) - 3
Green Chillies - 3
Salt

Contraption needed - Grinder/ Mixer

Method:
Peel the Mango, remove the seed and the tough fiber adhering to the seed. Chop into cubes. Chop the garlic and green chillies. In a mixer, add the grated coconut first and blend to a paste with garlic and green chillies. Add the mangoes later with little water and salt and blend to a chutney like consistency. Adjust salt as per taste.

Note - Refrigerate the chutney and use within 3-4 days. Since coconut is used, the shelf life is limited.