avocado

FINDING: Most groceries, though Mexican groceries frequently offer avocados ripe and in the greatest variety.
CHOOSING: The pebbly, dark-skinned Hass avocado has a very buttery texture and doesn’t discolor quickly when cut. Smooth, green-skinned Fuertes are a good option for similar reasons. Large, shiny, smooth, green-skinned Florida avocados have a much less creamy texture. Never choose avocados with soft spots, and ones that are so ripe that the pit shakes around inside. For mashing, choose avocados that give under gentle pressure; for chopping or slices, choose ones that are a little firmer.
RIPENING & STORING: Ripen avocados on the counter top, until the bottom of the avocado gives slightly. Once ripe, store in the refrigerator, unwrapped, for 3 to 7 days, depending on variety (Hass may be stored longer than other varieties)
Archives
- A Master Class in Guacamoles
- Acapulco-Style Shrimp Cocktail
- Almost Oaxacan Grilled Tostadas with Chorizo
- Apple-Fennel Guacamole
- Avocado Ice
- Avocado-Cilantro Mayonnaise
- Avocado-Dressed Shrimp a la Mexicana
- Avocado-Mango Salad with Fresh Cheese, Bacon and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
- BLT Tacos with Green Chile Mayonnaise
- Carmen Ramirez’s Cebiche Verde de Sierra
- Crispy Chicken Torta
- Dzik
- Egg and Bacon Torta
- Fish in Tropical Aquachile
- Fish Tostadas with Toasty Baja-Style Mojo de Ajo
- Fresh Cheese with Papaya-Chipotle Salsa
- Grilled Fish with Habanero and Sour Orange Marinade
- Grilled Tostadas with Bacon, Avocado Mayo and Heirloom Tomatoes
- Guacamole with Bacon, Grilled Ramps and Roasted Tomatillo
- Herb Green Ceviche
- Luxury Guacamole Bar
- Mango Guacamole
- Milanesa de Pollo with Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa
- Pork Belly Tacos with Apple Guacamole
- Pork Tinga with Potatoes, Avocado and Fresh Cheese
- Roasted Corn, Garlic and Poblano Guacamole
- Roasted Garlic Guacamole with Help-Yourself Garnishes
- Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole with Crunchy Chicharron
- Roasted Tomato Shrimp Cocktail
- Rustic Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Avocado
- Salt and Pepper Ceviche
- Scallop Aguachile
- Seared Duck Tacos
- Shredded Pork Torta
- Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas with Green Ramp Mojo
- Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche Tostada
- Shrimp and Seafood Cocktail
- Shrimp Ceviche Verde
- Simple “Minced” Ceviche for Tostadas
- Simple Guacamole
- Sopa Azteca
- Spaghetti Squash “Fideos” with Chipotle, Chorizo, Crema and Avocado
- Sun-Dried Tomato Guacamole
- Tangy Peanut-Avocado Salsa
- Tangy Yucatecan Grilled Pork with Roasted Onions and Fresh Garnishes
- Toasted Pumpkinseed Guacamole
- Tostada Topping: Avocado-Dressed Shrimp a la Mexicana
- Tostada Topping: Beef and Potato Salad with Smoky Chipotle
- Yucatecan Black Bean Dinner