Avocado Tips & Tricks
Oh, Those Yummy Avocados!
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I know some people think avocados are an acquired taste, but living in Southern California, where farmers produce 95% of the U.S. production, you grow up eating avocados. They are delicious!
The avocado’s hard rough exterior provides inspiration for its other name, the Alligator Pear. Avocado use comes in a variety of ways from appetizers, salads, side dishes, condiments, sauces, drinks, baby food, and even desserts. Working with an avocado can look a little intimidating at first glance, but if you know a few tips and tricks, it is very simple.
The brightly colored, velvety smooth texture and fresh taste of the avocado makes it a highly desirable fruit and adds beauty to any dish. Mmm, my mouth water just thinking about it. YUM!
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Avocado Tips & Tricks
- Ripeness:
- Commercially, avocados are picked before they ripen, they transport easier.
- The avocado skin will darken as the avocado ripens.
- Avocados are hard and soften as they ripen.
- Chose an avocado that is still firm, but yields a little when gently squeezed. (Harder avocados can be brought home for later use. Set them on the countertop to ripen. If you need the avocado to ripen faster, place it inside a brown paper bag on the countertop).
- Preparing the Avocado for use:
- Using a sharp knife CUT the avocado all the way around lengthwise, (it will not go all the way through because of the pit inside). Start at the tip, slice down to the bottom, around the bottom, and up the other side back to the tip.
- Hold the avocado in both hands and TWIST the two halves in opposite directions, pull apart.
- One half of the avocado will hold the Pit. The pit extremely rarely pops out on its own. SMACK the pit with the sharp knife-edge so the knife embeds slightly into the pit.
- TWIST the knife handle to pop out the pit. Remove pit from knife.
- Holding an avocado half, use a large SPOON to PULL the fruit from the skin. Start at the top of the avocado. You will see just the slight nib of where the fruit was attached to the tree. Insert the tip of the spoon just below that nib and scoop down to the skin. Loosen the fruit all the way from the skin and spoon it out onto a cutting board.
- DO NOT open your avocado until you are ready to slice, chop, or fork-puree the fruit for immediate use.
- Avocados turn brown quickly with oxidation from exposure to air. Hold off oxidation by sprinkling lime or lemon juice on the avocado fruit.
- Store left over avocado (such as guacamole dip) with a plastic wrap pressed down against the dip to keep the air out.
- You can use the avocado skin as a serving dish, perhaps as an appetizer with tiny bay shrimps and pico de gallo.
I hope you enjoy avocados and find these tips and tricks helpful.
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Do you have any Tips or Tricks?
What are some of your favorite Avocado Recipes?
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I just got down from my soapbox regarding my disapproval of Subways “avocado” sandwich….Back in Cali when I ordered avocado on my sandwiches I got avocado slices, here in Arkansas it’s a consistency like guacamole, it’s gross. I ask for slices they say they don’t have them, of course I say that “back in california ………… ” …. then I get that look…. the look saying “Girl you’re in Arkansas not California” Needless to say, my veggie sandwich wasn’t that great!
Oh, how disappointing! Please tell me you can get fresh avocados at the grocery…
YES…. i can but they are soooooo expensive.
🙁 Well, they are a special treat when you get them…
I so love guacamole and it’s better when homemade! Thanks for the tips!
You betcha! Guacamole, fresh slices, you name it…I love my avocado! 🙂
I never ate avocados until I met my husband. Now they are a regular snack or salad add in. I do believe they are an acquired taste. We live in Illinois though so they aren’t exactly regional here. 🙂
And don’t forget, you’re being featured on Underdog WonderBlog tomorrow!
I’m so excited!… and nervous, I have to come up with a great post for tomorrow…YIKES!
I’m so glad your hubby introduced you to avocado. Clearly, your life was not complete until you met you husband… LOL
Hi Lorelai! I am so happy you posted this info b/c I LOVE avocados! Thanks for describing how to cut the avocado, too, because I never do it right. 🙂
I’m so glad you find this post helpful, Bonnie. It’s always easier if you know a few little tips and tricks. 🙂
I like the knife tip! Will have to try that. We adore avocados. Aldi gets them on sale for 25 cents a piece sometimes and I will buy 10 at a whack. We eat them plain or in guacamole or sliced on a gourmet grilled cheese. Yum, yum. And so healthy for you.
You will be amazed at how easy it is to get that pit out with the knife! And you won’t be mangling your avocado anymore. 🙂
Avocados are super healthy and nutritious.
Thank you so much for this tips and tricks. I always not sure it what stage (soft, hard) should I get them, and since there aren’t any growing here it is hard to tell what is the best. This tips are so helpful!
Glad you like the tips, Anna. Enjoy your avocados…YUM! 🙂
Haha! Alligator Pear! I love it!
I know, crazy name, huh?! They are tasty though. 🙂
What tips or tricks do you have for someone who doesn’t LIKE avocados?! LOL
Hmmm… You could always dip them in paint and roll them across some paper, it would make an interesting background. LOL
PINNING! Awesome!
Thanks, Jen! I’m so glad you liked these tips and tricks. 🙂
Not only nice, but also very healthy. Avocado is a great help in diet
Avocado is loaded with great nutrients! 🙂
Oh, I love them! They are almost as awesome as pumpkins! Yup second favorite food here!
LOL… I have a huge love of Pumpkins too! You should check out my post Pumpkin Season Is Back! You’ll love it! 🙂
Great tips! I love avocados and recently tried something I just learned to help them to stay fresher longer. I put a slice of onion in the bottom of a container and set the exposed flesh of the avocado on it and it kept it from browning! Who would have thought?! 🙂
Wow! That is awesome, and I will definitely be giving this tip a try!!! Thanks for sharing with me. 🙂
Well, now I know! I’ve not done too much with avocados ever, but I learned a lot in this post! And I’ve learned a lot from YOU! 🙂 So happy to have had this time with you as we’ve built the #HomeMattersParty together!
I’m glad you learned something today about avocados! They are so delicious. I’ve loved learning from you tom and hosting Home Matters with you. 🙂
We love avocados around here. In fact, avocado was my little boy’s first food! Thanks for hosting the #homemattersparty and allowing me to be a co-host for the month of July. I can’t believe the month is already coming to a close.
Avocados are one of my absolute favorite foods. This is a great list of tips for getting the most out of them. And thanks for having me as a co-host for the #HomeMattersParty again, I’m really enjoying being a part of it.
Love the tips and tricks and thanks for reminding me that I didn’t buy avocados last week!
Hahaha! Make sure to add avocados to your list for next week…especially now that you are armed with these tips and tricks! 🙂
I absolutely love avocados. Believe it or not I never ate one before I married my husband and I was 25 LOL. Love being on #HomeMatters with you.
I love the idea of using the shell as a serving dish! Will definitely use that idea- thank you!
We’ve had so much fun co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty this month and are looking forward to another. Thank you for having us.
Thanks for sharing at the Say G’day Party! Pinned both and look forward to seeing you on Saturday! I never know why avocados are expensive Lorelai! #ibabloggers
I’m not sure, but I know someone who has an avocado grove, so I’ll try to ask him. 🙂