Prized as a delicacy and an aphrodisiac, avocados have been cherished since the early Aztecs first harvested the wild fruit over 10,000 years ago. While that’s an impressive history, proving its long term staying power, I’m disquieted to imagine any point in time that this most precious, indispensable stable didn’t exist. Rarely does a day pass without some form of avocado appearing on my personal menu, and often more than once. I hate to play favorites when there are so many incredible fresh finds out there… But I know avocado is the one I couldn’t live without.
Once the underdog of the produce world, avocados have enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity only during the later half of the 20st century. Now ubiquitous, Americans alone account for over $2.6 billion in avocado sales annually. No wonder millennials can’t afford to buy houses anymore. The buttery flesh may be green, but its really worth it’s weight in gold.
As National Avocado Day looms ever nearer on July 31st, the whole event seems curiously redundant. Don’t we already pay our respects at the shrine of the ahuacatl more religiously than most conventional deities? I don’t really need to suggest a celebratory round of guacamole, as if it wasn’t the most obvious serving suggestion in the book? Besides, you have a whole separate holiday to rock out with your guac out, on September 16th.
There’s no wrong way to eat an avocado. In fact, my favorite method is to scoop it right out of of shell with a spoon, gilded with tiny pinch of flaky salt over the top. If you’d like to pull out all the stops for this party and try something special, however, I do have a few more ideas that are sure to make any avocado lover swoon.
Best Avocado Recipes
Take your avocado game to the next level! Try some innovative approaches to using this beloved fruit, well beyond the average guacamole.
Avocado Bread
This bread gets its soft, tender crumb and vibrant hue from a buttery blend of both mashed avocado and avocado oil. It makes for brilliant sandwich bread as well, sliced thin and layered with sweet and savory fillings alike… But of course, I’d always opt to add more avocado whenever possible.
Avocado Iced Coffee
Rich, creamy coffee with a touch of sweetness and not a drop of dairy! Serve over ice for maximum refreshment.
Avocado Grapefruit Salad
Something about the acidic, subtly sweet citrus, creamy avocado, and crunchy macadamia nuts make this salad utterly unforgettable.
Truffled Avocado Toast Tart
Take avocado toast and elevate it to gourmet status, lavished with truffles and luxurious dollops of cashew ricotta, in such abundance that it would be a crime to keep it to yourself. Buttery, bright green avocados take on a greater degree of decadence, heightened by the intense, earthy, almost nutty notes of truffles. This savory tart is fit for a party and is sure to steal the spotlight.
Chimichurri Avocado Salsa
Composed of rich, creamy chunks of avocado, contrasted by crunchy cubes of jicama, the departure from traditional salsa is further reinforced by the herbaceous, acidic bite of chimichurri. Bold flavors define this gloriously green amalgamation; peppery, lemony, and vinegary all at once, the cooling vegetable backdrop proves to be an excellent canvas on which to paint the Argentinian marinade.
Gazpacho Verde
Stay cool this summer with the simplest, most satisfying gazpacho you've ever blended up. Sourcing fresh, brilliantly flavorful salsa verde is the key to success, bringing all the spice, acid, and umami you need to make this instant chilled soup.
I love avocados:) There are some summer avocado variaties here, but mostly they are available in winter time. They are so versatile:)
We are huge avocado lovers. Now the only dilemma we have is what delicious recipe from your round up we should try first. Maybe we should just start at the top and work our way down.
Oh, my, have to save this page so I can try some of these recipes. The only problem I have with avocados is the involvement of cartels in much of the production. :-(
Ugh, so true. Nothing is without controversy. I do try to buy local… My dream is to one day have an avocado tree!
I want a lemon tree.
I love avocadoes, I grew up with them since we have a tree at home. Have you tried the avocado smoothie and avocado ice cream, if not, I suggest you make one, they are amazing
Oh yes, I adore avocado desserts! I’ve also got a recipe for an avocado pie in one of my cookbooks, and am scheming up some avocado fudge as we speak… Stay tuned!
Such a great collection of recipes, but I am most intrigued about the bread. Thanks!