Spiky the Mango Hedgehog

Source: Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mango Association - used with permission

With the Summer holidays looming and children at home, parents need to plan lots of fun activities to keep their children occupied. The Mango Association has gone back to basics and has come up with a great activity that is enjoyable and healthy!

Making animals out of fruit is lots of fun and enhances children's creativity. It is an opportunity for children and parents to spend time together and learn about an exotic fruit. Spiky the mango hedgehog is easy to make if you follow the steps below:

The easiest way to make Spiky is to buy a ripe mango which should be soft to the touch. (You may want to buy a couple in case the first attempt goes wrong!).

1. Firstly slice the mango lengthwise cutting just above the seed (this is the fibrous centre that runs down the middle of the fruit). Curve your knife around the seed and repeat on the other side.

2. Score the fruit flesh in a crisscross pattern (forming cubes). Be sure not to cut all the way through to the skin of the peel. Repeat on the other half if you want two hedgehogs

3. To form the hedgehog shape bend the peel backward pressing on the skin side. Use currents for the eyes and a raspberry for the nose.