Leave a comment February 20th , 2012 9:48 am

Ask Beth: Advice for selecting, using fresh avocados

By Staff Reports

How do I know if avocados are ripe? 

Avocados are loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium and folate. They’re also cholesterol and sodium free. Avocados contain 60 percent more potassium per ounce than bananas. According to the Centers for Disease C o n t r o l , this fruit is an excellent source of monounsaturated fat.

How to Select, Ripen and Peel an Avocado

• Look for firm avocados if you’re planning on using them later in the week, otherwise, select fruit that yields to gentle pressure for immediate use.

• Color alone will not tell you if the avocado is ripe. Ripe fruit will be slightly firm, but will yield to gentle pressure.

• To speed the ripening process, place the avocado in a paper bag and store at room temperature until ready to eat (usually two to five days). Placing an apple together with the avocado speeds up the process even more.

• Cut the avocado in half, slightly twist the two halves, separate and remove the seed. Starting at the small end and remove the skin with a knife, or, if you prefer, you can also scoop the flesh out with a spoon.

• To retain a fresh green color, avocados should either be eaten immediately or should be sprinkled with lemon or lime juice or white vinegar.

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Try this recipe for guacamole courtesy of SAN-J, which is known for its premium Tamari soy sauce as well as a variety of high-quality Asian cooking sauces, salad dressings, rice crackers and soups.

•••••

Szechuan Guacamole 

Ingredients: 

3 large, ripe avocados

1 medium tomato, diced

1 small red onion, diced

1 tablespoon San-J Szechuan Sauce

1/4 cup lemon or lime juice

Cilantro, chopped

Directions: 

Peel avocados, remove pits and mash. Add next 4 ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill well. Garnish with cilantro.

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If you have questions or need additional information, contact Beth Wolfe at the UT Extension Office, 824 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton, call 542-1818, or email me at bethwolfe@utk.edu. 

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