OodbAvocados Fruit AND Vegetable?
The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree native to Mexico and Central America, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. The name “avocado” is also applied to the fruit of the avocado tree.
The tree grows to 20 metres (65 ft), with alternately arranged, evergreen leaves, 12–25 centimetres long. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, 5–10 millimetres wide. The pear-shaped fruit is botanically a berry, from 7 to 20 centimetres long, weighs between 100 and 1000 grams, and has a large central seed, 3 to 5 centimetres in diameter
The fruit is sometimes called an avocado pear or alligator pear, due to its shape and rough green skin. The avocado tree does not tolerate freezing temperatures, and so can be grown only in subtropical and tropical climates.
The fruit of horticultural cultivars ranges from more or less round to egg- or pear-shaped, typically the size of a temperate-zone pear or larger, on the outside bright green to green-brown (or almost black) in color. The fruit has a markedly higher fat content than most other fruits, mostly monounsaturated fat. A whole medium avocado contains approximately 15% of the United States FDA’s recommended daily amount of saturated fat.
Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas. They are also rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E, vitamin K, and folate.
A ripe avocado will yield to a gentle pressure when held in the palm of the hand and squeezed. The flesh is typically greenish yellow to golden yellow when ripe. The flesh oxidizes and turns brown quickly after exposure to air. To prevent this, lime or lemon juice can be added to avocados after they are peeled.
The avocado is very popular in vegetarian cuisine, making an excellent substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content. The fruit is not sweet, but fatty, strongly flavored, and of smooth, almost creamy texture.
It is used as the base for the Mexican dip known as guacamole, as well as a filling for several kinds of sushi, including California rolls. Avocado is popular in chicken dishes and as a spread on toast, served with salt and pepper.
Classic Guacamole
4 ripe Fresh California avocados, seeded and peeled
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tomato, finely chopped
¼ Cup finely chopped onion
¼ tsp ground cumin
3 drops hot pepper sauce
Tortilla chips
Using a fork, coarsely mash avocado with lemon juice and garlic.
Stir in remaining ingredients to blend.
Garnish as desired and serve with tortilla chips.
http://www.avocado.org/ 4 years ago
