India is home of Ganesha, the Hindu deity who places and removes obstacles from our path. Its also the native land of the mango. From the sumac family, the fruit is poison ivys cousin and produces an irritant called urushiol. Some folks are so allergic that the mangos sap, skin, or delicious flesh can cause hives, sores, and blisters on the their lips and face. Ouch!
But allergies be damned when Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts the 18th annual International Mango Festival. This year, the fest will celebrate the mangos of India, featuring scores of workshops, cooking demos, tastings, smoothies, sales, booze, and music. James Beard-winning chef Madhur Jaffrey will be there to teach the making of mango chutney, so you can eat, learn, and, if youre unlucky, break out that EpiPen.
Sun., July 11, 9:30 a.m., 2010