Avocado 101: How to Pick, Store and Handle the Perfect Fruit

Avocados. They’re not only for guacamole any longer. Flavourful Hass avocados include incredible taste, enthusiastic shading and a rich surface to customary dishes, making them exceptional.

From pizza to servings of mixed greens to sandwiches, avocados add that small something uncommon to your formulas.

Realizing how to choose, handle, and store your avocados appropriately will guarantee that they add the ideal style to your feast without fail.

When choosing the perfect avocado, opt for the luscious Hass variety. Recognizable by their velvety texture and uniquely bumpy skin, Hass avocados are readily available year-round.

To determine the ripeness of a Hass avocado, gently give it a squeeze. A ripe fruit will yield slightly to pressure while still feeling firm. As they mature, Hass avocados will transition from light green to a deep, rich blackish-green hue.

If you’re buying avocados for future use, select firm ones without any external imperfections.

Ripening

To accelerate the ripening process of a Hass avocado, place it in a paper bag along with an apple for a few days at room temperature. Apples release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent, which will help hasten the process.

Storage

Once your avocados have reached the perfect ripeness, they can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

To prevent discolouration, mash the avocado and add 1/2 tsp. of lemon juice for every 1/2 pound of avocado. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mixture before covering.

You can refrigerate the mixture for up to two days or store it in the freezer for up to two months.

Handling

• Like all fruits, washing the avocado before cutting into it is essential.
• Cut the avocado lengthwise around the seed.
• Twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them.
• Gently insert a spoon between the seed and the flesh; it should pop out easily.
• Slide a spoon between the skin and the flesh, and it will effortlessly detach from the peel.
• Now that you’ve chosen and prepared your Hass avocados, let’s dive into a quick and easy recipe to enjoy them:

Turkey and Avocado Sandwich Wedges

Ingredient	Quantity
1 round flat sourdough bread loaf	–
2 large Hass avocados, peeled and seeded, divided	–
3 Tbsp. salsa	–
3 (6 by 1 1/2-inch) strips of roasted red pepper	–
1 pound thinly sliced smoked turkey	–
3 thin red onion slices, separated into rings	–
3 slices pepper jack cheese	–
2 romaine lettuce leaves	–

Instructions:

1. Cut a circle from the top of the bread; hollow out the bottom section to create a shell.
2. Mash one avocado and mix it with salsa; spread this mixture over the base of the bread.
3. Layer roasted pepper strips, onion rings, cheese, and half of the turkey inside the bread.
4. Slice the remaining avocado and place it on top of the cheese. Add lettuce and the remaining turkey.
5. Replace the bread top and press firmly to compact the ingredients.
6. Wrap the sandwich tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice into wedges just before serving.

What’s your favourite avocado recipe? Share your ingredients in a table and get ready to savor the creamy goodness of Hass avocados in your culinary creations.