All About Avocado
Happy May! Our superfood focus this month is one that everyone knows and loves…avocado! This creamy, green fruit (yes, avocados are technically fruits) is loaded with 20 different vitamins and minerals, fiber, and monounsaturated fat. Avocados contain one of the highest amounts of protein coming from a fruit!
Check out these tips when hunting for the perfect avocado:
Look for avocados that are dark green, purple, or black in color. Be sure to check the feel of the avocado – it should be soft, but not too mushy. Want to ripen a hard avocado quickly? Place it in a brown bag with a banana or apple, because they naturally release ethylene gas to speed up the ripening process. Want to prevent an avocado from becoming too mushy? Place it in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening. Want to prevent avocados from turning brown? Place plastic wrap or sprinkle lemon or lime juice to prevent oxidation and preserve the bright green color.
Besides its claim to fame in guacamole, avocados are extremely versatile. They can be used as a 1:1 swap for butter when baking, as a replacement for mayo on sandwiches, and to add creaminess to smoothies. Avocados can also be used as their own bowl or plate – an extra special quality for easy prep and clean up. Once the pit is removed, the center of the avocado makes a great vehicle for salads, salsa, eggs, or other meal ideas.
Mash it, slice it, or scoop it, to get your avocado fill this month!