Avocado Recipes ♥ Alphabet of Vegetables

Avocado lovers rejoice! A whole collection of seasonal Avocado Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, savory to sweet, salads to sides, soups to supper, simple to special. And guacamole! Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.
This Veggie Evangelist came late to the "Avocado Craze" but is catching up, fast! Here you'll find a whole collection of avocado facts and seasonal avocado recipes, savory to sweet, salads to sides, soups to supper, simple to special. And of course, guacamole recipes too!

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Avocado 101: THE BASICS
Pronounced [ah-vuh-KAH-doe].
Plural of Avocado. Here's how to remember the plural of avocado, tee hee. "One avocado is good, enough avocados for guacamole is even better."
Other Names for Avocado. Also called Avocado Pear, Alligator Pear (it's that nubbly skin), Butter Fruit.
The Season. California avocados are harvested December through August, exactly when depends on the variety. Since avocados are imported from Mexico, avocados are easily available year-round thus veiling the apparence of season. Still, "late season" avocados are richer than "early season" avocados, it might be one way to tell!
New-World Origins. Avocados originated in the jungles of Central America, that makes them a so-called "New World" food. Those enormous pits inside? They're the food source for new avocado trees that must fight to find light in a dense jungle. [5] Some theorize that the dense-calorie fruit adapted to appeal to large animals with high calorie requirements. [1]
Botanically Speaking. Like tomatoes, avocados are fruits not vegetables even if we treat them them as vegetables. Avocados belong to the laurel family, the trees go back and forth, producing bumper crops of 200 - 300 avocados one year and smaller crops the next.
New Word! "Climateric" Avocados are a "climateric" fruit, this means that avocados ripen on the tree but soften for eating off the tree, after they're picked. (Other common climateric fruits? Apples, bananas, apricots and tomatoes.) [1]
Ripeness vs Softness. It's easy to think of a hard avocado as "unripe". Instead, it's actually ripe but just needs some time off the tree to soften for eating.

How to Select an Avocado. Who's seen someone (or is guilty of? oops, me too) squeeze an avocado in the grocery store, then put it back? We're looking for an avocado that is slightly soft, that "gives" slightly to a little pressure. But when we test for softness with our fingers, even gently, our fingers will leave "fingerings" (internal bruises) on the avocado, an invisible brown spot for the next unwitting avocado buyer. Instead, close your palm around the avocado to test for softness. My grocery store helps by selling individual "soft enough to eat" avocados in the top basket, successively less soft ones in the lower baskets. Still, I always buy more avocados than needed, because even when an avocado appears fine on the outside, it can be brown or mucky inside. I have good luck with bags of avocados from both Trader Joe's and Sam's Club – perhaps because they're less subject to careless squeezing by shoppers.
How to Soften (vs Ripen) Avocados Faster. First, who knew?! Avocados soften from the blossom end to the stem end. [1] Waiting for avocados to soften is tricky, especially if you need to make guacamole, say, on a particular day. (1) Open on the counter, an avocado might soften in a couple of days but often might take a week, too. (2) To speed the softening, place the avocado in a paper bag on the counter away from direct sunlight; (3) to speed it even more, add a banana or an apple to the bag. (4) Once an avocado is soft, move the avocados to the refrigerator to slow down further softening; they'll hold for a good week. But don't put hard avocados in the fridge, they won't soften there.
Pet Poison. Yikes, avocados are poisonous for cats, dogs and horses. [2]
Haas Avocados. The most common commercial avocado is the Haas, that's the pebbly, lizard-skinned avocado that makes up 95% (I know, 95%!) of the U.S. market. In the States alone, in 2014 we consumed 4.25 billion avocados (do the math, that's more than one avocado per person every single month! Still, that's, um, peanuts, compared to Mexico, where it's one avocado per person every single week.) That's up 2x since 2005 and 4x since 2000. The increase is due not to demand, per se, but to supply: trade restrictions were lifted, allowing imports to supplement a fairly limited supply of California avocado supplies. Today? Some 85% of US-consumed avocados are imported, primarily from Mexico. [4] Today, avocado trees no longer grow in the wild, they're all cultivated. [5]
Avocado Monoculture. But here's the thing. There are other avocado varieties but I bet you, like me, have never heard of them. Anyone familiar with the Reed, Bacon, Rincon or Pinkerton avocados? Me either. Occasionally, I do come across lower-fat smooth-skinned "Fuerte" (also called "Florida") avocados but because they're usually picked too young, lack the rich, buttery taste we've come to associate with avocados. (These avocados also have about half the fat as Haas avocados.) So Haas it is. Deborah Madison calls Haas avocados the "Red Delicious" of avocados: valued for pretty-good flavor and ease of shipping but nonetheless, an ignore-all-other dominating monoculture. [6] I suspect that our love for avocados will mean that before too long, we'll see new avocado varieties from small growers.
About That Pit. Yeah, it's big, by weight more than 20 percent of a whole avocado. In fact, in the 1977 movie "Oh, God!", George Burns quipped that making avocado seeds so big was a mistake. [5] Unless is gets dried out, that seed is alive and ready to put down roots and push sunward to become another tall, leafy avocado tree. With seven years of patience in a warm climate, you can grow your own avocado tree from one of those seeds, this is a great tutorial from a fellow food blogger, The Hungry Mouse, plus many tips and hints from other avocado growers in the comments. Some people say that an avocado pit will prevent a bowl of guacamole from turning color: oops, that didn't work for me.
Why Avocados Turn Brown. Once avocado flesh is exposed to air, the flesh will turn brown within an hour or so. To prevent this (or at least slow down the browning), drizzle lemon juice or lime juice over the open flesh. When there's half an avocado left over, I make Make-Ahead Smoothies!
Special Diets. Avocados are gluten-free, paleo approved, South Beach diet approved (all three phases), Weight Watchers friendly and Whole30 approved. (Naturally, specific preparations matter to each of these eating regimens.)
Natural Pairings. Pair avocado with citrus (lime, especially but also lemon, orange and grapefruit) and other fruits like mango and tomato; vegetables like bell peppers, corn and cucumbers; meats like bacon and crab; herbs like basil and cilantro; heat from chile peppers like jalapeño. [3] And you know, toast, like here.
Sources. Personal experience and accumulated learning. Also the most-wonderful [1] On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee, [2] Vegetable Love by Barbara Kafka and [3] The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. Also [4] Washington Post 1/22/15 and [5] The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, and Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History by Thor Hansen and [6] Local Flavors by Deborah Madison. I also recommend a lovely blog, Mimi Avocado by a woman whose family raises avocados commercially in California.

AVOCADO NUTRITION INFORMATION

What's your favorite way to eat avocados? or what avocado recipe did you hope to find here? And hey, I am still in the hunt for "my" way to make avocado toast, if yours is great, I'd love to try it! Leave me a quick note in the comments or via recipes@kitchen-parade.com! ~Alanna



HEY AVOCADO LOVERS! WHAT SOUNDS GOOD?
~ A Few Highlights ~


AVOCADO: BASIC HOW-TO TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Tool Tip Avocado Knife (and Its Replacement)
Technique Tip How to Remove an Avocado Pit

GREAT GUACAMOLE!
A Veggie Venture recipes
Avocado Dip
Homemade Guacamole with Tomatillos
Laura's Famous Chunky Guacamole

NEW to Avocado? TRY THESE FIRST
Kitchen Parade recipes
Beef Tacos with Avocado, Cucumber, Mango Salsa

A Veggie Venture recipes
Smitten Kitchen's Avocado-Cucumber Salad

READER FAVORITES!
Kitchen Parade recipes
Mexican Chicken Salad

A Veggie Venture recipes
Green Smoothies
Make-Ahead Smoothies
Seven-Layer Strawberry Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

PERSONAL FAVORITES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Fruity Gazpacho
Tropical Salad Supper with Tropical Pork Tenderloin

A Veggie Venture recipes
Laura's Famous Chunky Guacamole
Smitten Kitchen's Avocado-Cucumber Salad
Twice-Roasted Beets with Red Grapes, Cherries, Blueberries & Avocado Feta Cream

FAVORITE SIMPLE SEASONAL SUPPERS
Winter Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
Spring Mexican Chicken Salad
Summer Grilled Steak with Summer Tomato Salad
Fall Beef Tacos with Avocado, Cucumber, Mango Salsa

BEST Avocado Recipes for LUNCH ON-THE-GO
A Veggie Venture recipes
Kale Salad To-Go with Avocado & Apple

BEST Avocado Recipes for WEIGHT WATCHERS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Easy Shrimp Bites
Easy Skinny Turkey Roll-ups with Fresh Veggies

A Veggie Venture recipes
Roasted Salmon with Garden Hash & Creamy Avocado Sauce



AVOCADO in EVERY COURSE
~ Even Dessert! ~


Avocado for BREAKFAST
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in Smoothies
A Veggie Venture recipes
Green Smoothies 10min/10min – WW2/WW3 – PP3/PP4/PP5 – NetCarb21/26/33/36
Make-Ahead Smoothies 10min/10min – WW3 – PP2 – NetCarb16

Avocado in APPETIZERS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Easy Shrimp Bites

A Veggie Venture recipes
Avocado Dip 10min/10min – WW2 – PP2 – NetCarb2
Broccoli Tapenade 20min/30min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb4
Homemade Guacamole with Tomatillos 30min/30min – WW3 – PP5 – NetCarb2
Laura's Famous Chunky Guacamole 20min/20min – WW4 – PP4 – NetCarb3

Avocado in BREADS
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in SALADS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Spinach Salad with Fruity Vinaigrette, Fresh Fruit & Maple-Glazed Pecans

A Veggie Venture recipes
Avocado Salad with Hearts of Palm 15min/20min – WW5 – PP6 – NetCarb20
Celery & Chickpea Salad 25min/25min – WW3 – PP4 – SP6 – FS3 – NetCarb13
Kale Salad To-Go with Avocado & Apple 20min/4hrs – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb5
Spring & Summer Sliced Salad 20min/20min – WW3 – PP5 – NetCarb14
Seven-Layer Strawberry Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing 30min/30min – WW4 – PP6 – NetCarb15
Smitten Kitchen's Avocado-Cucumber Salad 10min/10min – WW3 – PP4 – NetCarb4
Twice-Roasted Beets with Red Grapes, Cherries, Blueberries & Avocado Feta Cream 15min/45min – WW4 – PP5 – NetCarb18
Winter Greens Salad ♥ with Oranges, Avocado, Olives, Feta & Orange-Cumin Vinaigrette 15min/15min – WW2 – PP3 – SP4 – FS3 – NetCarb8

Avocado in SIDE DISHES (HOT)
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in SOUPS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Fruity Gazpacho

A Veggie Venture recipes
Cool-as-a-Cucumber Avocado Soup 10min/10min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb7

Avocado in SANDWICHES, WRAPS & MORE
Kitchen Parade recipes
BATTLE Sandwiches
Easy Skinny Turkey Roll-ups with Fresh Veggies

A Veggie Venture recipes
BLTs with Avocado

Avocado in MAIN DISHES (SALAD SUPPERS)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Mexican Chicken Salad
Tropical Salad Supper

A Veggie Venture recipes
Homemade Cobb Salad 10min/10min – WW8 – PP9 – NetCarb7
Quick Leftover Beef Salad 20min/20min – WW9 – PP9 – NetCarb 10
Roasted Beets Supper Salad 20min/20min – WW11 – PP12 – NetCarb33

Avocado in MAIN DISHES (VEGETARIAN)
A Veggie Venture recipes
Roasted Beets Supper Salad 20min/20min – WW11 – PP12 – NetCarb33

Avocado in MAIN DISHES (with MEAT & FISH)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Beef Tacos with Avocado, Cucumber, Mango Salsa
Grilled Steak with Summer Tomato Salad
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
Tropical Salad Supper with Tropical Pork Tenderloin

A Veggie Venture recipes
Roasted Salmon with Garden Hash & Creamy Avocado Sauce 30min/40min – WW6 – PP7 – SP8 – FS5 – NetCarb10

Avocado in SAUCES
A Veggie Venture recipes
Roasted Salmon with Garden Hash & Creamy Avocado Sauce 30min/40min – WW6 – PP7 – SP8 – FS5 – NetCarb10
Twice-Roasted Beets with Red Grapes, Cherries, Blueberries & Avocado Feta Cream 15min/45min – WW4 – PP5 – NetCarb18

Avocado in SWEETS & BAKING
Kitchen Parade recipes
Fruity Gazpacho

Avocado in CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Easy Shrimp Bites



MOVING BEYOND THE STOVE & OVEN


Avocado on the GRILL
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in the MICROWAVE
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in the SLOW COOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Avocado in the STOVETOP SMOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!



A Veggie Venture is home of avocado lover and "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.
© Copyright Kitchen Parade 2005, 2015 & 2018


Alanna Kellogg
Alanna Kellogg

A Veggie Venture is home of "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

Comments

  1. Thank you for mentioning my blog and our family farm!

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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe, whether a current recipe or a long-ago favorite. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. ~ Alanna