[Samal Island, Davao Gulf, Philippines; 07°11.85' N / 125°42.63'E]

Samal Island in the Davao Gulf of the Philippines seems to have millions of mango trees set in neat rows that create lovely cool orchards.  As such we had access to gorgeous fresh mangos at the public markets around the island.   We love ripe mangos but thought we'd try our hand at a salad from firm, unripe ones.  Oh yum.  Indescribable.  Ya just gotta try it.

Dressing

10-15 calamansi or approximately 1/3 cup juice of orange/lime*

1 1/2 Tbsp Thai fish sauce

1 tsp honey

1 fresh bird's eye pepper (optional)

Mix together and let sit while preparing salad.

Salad

1 very large or two medium unripe mangos, peeled and sliced thinly

2 red bell peppers or preferably 6-7 local (pointy) sweet peppers, ~4-5 inches long, de-seeded and sliced thinly

1 medium sized red onion, sliced paper thin

1 thumb of fresh ginger, minced

small bundle of fresh basil leaves, ripped in small pieces

coarsely chopped cashews or peanuts, salted okay

Combine salad ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Toss.  Add dressing and toss to thoroughly coat salad with dressing.  Serve immediately.

* calamansi is more like an orange than a lime.  They are tiny green fruit, smaller than golf balls and ubiquitous in the Philippines.  It maybe possible to reproduce the flavor with a combination of orange and lime juice, with a heavy emphasis on sweet orange juice.