Avocados are like tofu; You can season them to impart the taste of whatever you want and they are great substitutes in recipes. Avocados are one of the healthiest fats you can consume, particularly helpful for belly fat. One friend liked my guacamole so much during the summer of 2006, I got the nickname Yoli Guacamole.
High in vitamin b6, c, k (35% of daily needs), fiber, folte, potassium, cooper. Avocados are high in fat so don’t overdue it but luckily 70% of those fats are the healthy kind. Avos provide about 25% of daily potassium, that is more than a banana.
Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, are in avocados and have been shown to lower cholesterol and provide protection against oral and breast cancer. Adding Avocados to a dish like a salad or a raw vegetable medley will increase your body’s ability to absorb carotenoids from other vegetables. Most carotenoids have antioxidant activity, boost your immune system, and supports unwanted inflammation. Avocados promote heart health, support regulating your blood sugar, and has anti-cancer properties.
A good and ready ripe avocado should be slightly soft and with a little green color left, without blemishes such as really dark soft spots. I always test the base of the avocado to tell if it is ready; if the base is hard, it is not quite ready. I have had the occasional experience of getting bad avocados. If it is really soft, 1. smell the avocado; if it has a funky odor, say bye bye avo. and 2. depending on where you are shopping, I have asked an employee to open the avocado if it was questionable, even at my local bodega/fruit stand. Your buying it anyways if it is a keeper!
Do not store unripened avocados in the fridge. Store them on your counter top or if you want to ripen them quickly, store in a brown paper bag. Sometimes you can use fruits like bananas or apples to speed up the process. I am wary of using that sometimes because I have noticed sometimes the avocado will not ripen evenly. If you have left over avocados, please be aware they do oxidize (essentially the flesh starts to turn from green to dark brown)! For avocado pieces or even mashed, make sure to add lime or lemon juice as it slows down the oxidizing process. To extend the life of really ripe ones, store in the fridge to slow down the ripening.
This recipe is courtesy of Chef Ina Pinkney of Ina’s Restaurant in Chicago
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons grated lime rind
1/2 cup lime juice, divided
2 cups peeled, cubed cucumber
1 fully ripened avocado from Mexico, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
1 cup raw cubed tomatillos
1 cup halved seedless green grapes
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
1 whole seeded fresh Serrano pepper
1 teaspoon celery salt
6 dashes green hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/3 cups unsweetened coconut water
Tequila or vodka, optional
Avocados slices, grape tomatoes and pickled onions, optional garnish
On a small flat plate, stir together 3 tablespoons salt and the lime rind; set aside. Pour 1/4 cup of the lime juice into a shallow bowl and set aside. In a blender, combine cucumber, avocado, tomatillos, grapes, cilantro, Serrano pepper, remaining 1/4 cup lime juice, celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, the hot sauce and black pepper; whirl until smooth; mixture will be slightly thick. Transfer to a 2-quart pitcher; stir in coconut water. Add tequila or vodka to taste, if desired. To serve, dip glass rim in reserved lime juice, then into salt and lime rind mixture. Add ice and fill with “Guaca Mary”. Thread avocado, grape tomatoes and pickled onions onto toothpick or skewer for garnish, if desired.
Yield: 4 Portions (5-1/3 cups plus tequila or vodka)
