How to Use California Avocados: 5 New Ways for this Spring and Summer

by Michelle Dudash, Chef and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

April 22, 2013 • 0 comments

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March officially kicked off California Avocado season, so I was delighted to share my latest and greatest usage tips with host Destry Jetton on Arizona Midday on NBC12 in Phoenix.

Why now is the perfect time to enjoy California Avocados

With peak availability March through September, California Avocados are grown and hand-harvested on approximately 5,000 small family farms throughout Central and Southern California. The coastal climate and ideal growing conditions of the region produce delicious fruits.

One-fifth of a medium avocado, considered a serving, contains only 50 calories and nearly 20 different vitamins and minerals. Avocados’ “good” fats consist mostly of the beneficial monounsaturated ones along with polyunsaturated fats, including the coveted omega-3’s. And fat equates with satisfaction, contributing to the sustainable energy available from a meal or snack.

How to use California Avocados at breakfast

• Place avocado slices on a toasted whole-wheat English muffin or bagel and smash avocado with a fork. Sprinkle with salt or top with smoked salmon and tomato for a flavor explosion.
• Try whipping avocados into smoothies. I find that one-fourth of an avocado per smoothie serving provides a delicious taste and silky smooth consistency. For one favorite I like to combine frozen blueberries, raspberries, banana, avocado and milk, Another one has pureed orange, avocado, kiwi and milk; or try strawberries, kiwi, avocado and milk.
• Stir diced avocado into scrambled eggs or omelets.
• Mix diced avocado with hard-boiled eggs for a “breakfast salad,” drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Good-for-you snacks using California Avocados

• Place avocado slices on an airy rye wafer cracker, mash avocado, and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Stir diced avocado into your favorite sweet or savory salsa and serve with black bean chips.

A tasty twist on pizza for dinner

• Place sliced avocado on pizza and bake pizza as you normally would.

While these are currently my favorite ways to enjoy California Avocados, the possibilities are endless and I’m always looking for tasty new ideas. What are yours?

Disclosure: I work closely with the California Avocado Commission and they compensated me to include them in this post. Words are 100% my own.

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