All About Avocados
| | |
|
|
It took a while, but avocados have finally gained
the popularity they so rightly deserve. They were first
discovered in Mexico in about 291 B.C., but didn’t
appear in American until 1833 in Florida. They were
grown commercially in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t
until the 1950s that the avocado fruit (yes, fruit)
became widely accepted by the public. Today, this creamy,
rich vegetable is a staple of Mexican-American cooking,
a popular chip dip and salad topper, and even one of
the first vegetables many babies taste!
Health Benefits
Avocados are sodium- and cholesterol-free, and contain
phytochemicals that may help fight chronic illnesses,
such as heart disease and cancer. They are also high
in vitamin E.
Fun Facts
- Avocados date back to 8,000 B.C.
- Avocados won’t go soft on their tree; instead,
they are stored there for many months in a
state of freshness, and must be picked to ripen.
- European sailors traveling to the New World used
ripe
avocados as a kind of butter.
Selection Tips
When buying avocados for immediate use, select fruit
that yields to gentle pressure. If buying for use
later in the week, look for firmness.
Availability
The Fresh1 avocados are from California and Chile and
are available year round.
Storage
To maintain a fresh green color after slicing, avocados
should be eaten immediately or should be sprinkled
with lemon or lime juice and covered in an air-tight
container.
Recipes
Quick 'n Easy
All Family
Easy
Entertaining
|
