The Pit Stop: Avocados

Avocado is an incredibly nutritious food with a high content of healthy fats and nutrients. Avocados are beneficial to your health because they boost your good HDL cholesterol. The fruit offers approximately 20 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamins K, C, E, B, potassium, and lutein. Added to a salad or a slice of whole-grain toast, or made it into a guacamole dip, avocados offer a delicious way to invigorate your health.

Avocados are best when the skin is almost black, and the avocado feels soft. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the large pit in the middle. Use a large spoon and scoop the green flesh out of each half. Chop into bite-sized pieces.

If you decide to only use half of your avocado, you need to prevent oxygen from getting to the flesh, since oxygen will cause any cut flesh to turn brown. One option is to use a little acid. Just sprinkle a bit of lemon juice over the cut areas of the avocado. You don’t need a lot… a spritz or two will do it. Then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. The avocado should stay green for a day or two.

Another option is to leave the seed in. Just wrap tightly with plastic wrap. (It is also said that if you add the seed to your guacamole, it will make it last longer as well, that seems to work too).  Avocado can be added as a substitute for some of less healthy blending agents, such as mayonnaise. 

Check out some of our recipes and give the avocado a try.

Ines Beltran

Family & Consumer Sciences Agent UGA Gwinnett Extension Office