Have you met my friend Mr. Cado?

Mr. Avo Cado?

We LOVE a good avocado at our house. There is just something about this fruit (yes, fruit) that makes my day a little brighter. Not only is it green (my favorite color), but it is also super yummy and so versatile.

I first developed a true appreciation of avocados when I lived out in California. Everywhere I went, they kept asking me if I wanted to add avocado to my sandwich/soup/smoothie/fill in the blank here: __________. I finally said yes and never looked back!

WAYS TO INDULGE:

1.  Caveman Style

This is actually my husband’s preference for enjoying his avocados. These miracle fruit basically come with a built-in bowl. All you have to do is slice it in half and then dig out the insides with a spoon.

2.  Slice it up

I, on the other hand, prefer a more refined approach to my avocado consumption. I like to slice it up, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, and then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. It’s kinda like a salad, but not.

3.  Dice it up

Diced up avocado can be added to just about anything. It is fabulous in scrambled eggs or wrapped up in a breakfast burrito. You can add diced avocado to your tuna salad. Of course, you can throw it on just about anything and call it a “Mexican” dish. We LOVE Mexican-flaired cuisine!

4.  Put the SMOOTH in smoothies

I ran across this suggestion a LOT before I finally decided it might be worth a try. I mean, avocados in a smoothie? That sounded a little weird, even for an avocado lover. One day, I decided to give it a try. OH. MY. So good, especially with anything chocolate flavored. It adds a silky and creamy texture without imparting any avocado flavor. It completely compliments the chocolate. PLUS, it makes whatever delectable treat you throw it into that much healthier. You almost HAVE to eat your chocolate shake, for health’s sake of course!

5.  Umm…Guacamole!

Not to overlook the obvious, but guacamole is pretty much nectar from heaven. You can spread it on sandwiches, use it as a dip, and put it on ANY Mexican food. We love fajitas and fresh guacamole is the perfect complement! In a time pinch, I have been known to just throw a few sprinkles of garlic salt onto an avocado, give it a stir, and call it delicious.

LOVE YOUR AVOCADO:

1.  Freshness Matters

Nobody likes a brown, squishy avocado! I have the best luck with organic avocados. I purchase them through our local produce co-op. Compared to conventional avocados, the organic ones last longer and stay fresher longer once sliced.

2.  Range of Ripeness

If you are buying them from the store, unless you are planning on eating a huge vat of guacamole for dinner, make sure you buy a few with a range of ripeness. This allows you to enjoy fresh avocados throughout the week.

3.  Avocado FIFO Rotation

Since I buy avocados through a co-op, they all generally come to me unripe. I put the majority in the refrigerator and lay out two on the counter (in my super special fruit spot). The next day, I might put out another one. Once one is ripe and ready to go, I will either eat it or put it in the fridge. First in. First Out. (FIFO for you accounting types.) I put another unripe avocado on the counter to keep the cycle going. This allows me to have an avocado ready to eat on most days. Ripe avocados from the fridge are best eaten within 2 days or so!

4.  Slice & Peel (with NO mushy mess)

The easiest way, for me, to cut and peel an avocado is to do it in quarters. I carefully cut the avocado in half “long ways” around the pit. Gently twist the avocado halves while trying to guess which side will end up with the pit. Your odds are 50/50. Take the half without the pit and lay it fleshy side down on a cutting board. Cut that piece in half “long ways” again. Now pick up a piece. Start at the smaller end. Grab a little piece and peel it back. If it is a “good” avocado, it should peel easy peasy. You can gently twist the pit out of the other side and repeat the process.

5.  Keep it FRESH

Say you don’t want to eat a WHOLE thing, but you don’t want to waste any bit of the goodness that is an avocado! After you cut your avocado (see above), keep the pit and the peel on the side you want to save. Put that side in a zip-loc bag and put in the fridge. It is best eaten within a day or two. (Side note: I have seen many articles on the best way to keep these babies fresh. It appears that storing them in a Tupperware-type container with cut onions is supposed to do some magic. That sounds great, but I mostly use my avocados for smoothies. Onion and smoothies just don’t sound good to me. Also, once we switched to organic avocados, they seem to keep longer after sliced.)

So there you go! Let’s spread the avocado love throughout the world!

What am I missing? What else should I be doing with these fabulous fruits? What is your favorite way to eat avocados?

Also, although I made it sound like I’m a boss when it comes to guacamole, I have yet to settle on one magical guacamole recipe. What’s your favorite? I want to try it!!

Peace, Love & Happiness,