My Thoughts on Avocados
Avocados are a fruit and most commonly known for being used as the main ingredient in guacamole. When I decided to try an avocado I did not know what the desired ripeness for one should be. I learned that avocados ripen after they have been harvested and ideally they are ripe when they have a dark green skin with a slight give when you squeeze but not super squishy or too brown.
I knew that avocados were supposed to have a creamy texture but had no idea what they would taste like. After trying a couple of pieces avocados seem very earthy to me. They have an oily, buttery and creamy texture with a bit of a nutty rich flavor. I tried a few pieces with a little salt and or a little lemon and think they taste a little better with these additions.
Health Benefits of Avocados
- Very nutritious including 20 different vitamins and minerals.
- High in potassium – they even contain more than bananas which helps control blood pressure.
- High in monounsaturated fatty acids which are the “good” fats similar to what you see in olive oil.
- Loaded in fiber, low on sugar.
- Loading with powerful antioxidants beneficial for eye health.
Tips on Avocados
- Avocados are ripe when they have a slight give if you squeeze them with a dark green color. If they are still very firm and brighter green they still have a few days left to ripen. Once they are too soft of squishy with very dark color they are probably overripe.
- To prepare an avocado wash and then cut slowly lengthwise around the seed. Then take both halves in your hands and twist to rotate the two halves apart.
- Use a spoon to gently remove the seed.
- Peel away the skin by grasping the outer dark layer of skin and peeling away from the bright green inner flesh of the fruit.