Savvy Secrets – Avocados

If you like avocados then you’ve no doubt had the frustrating experience of getting ready to cook or make a meal and the only avocados you have on hand, or can find at the market, are unripe and rock hard. Conversely you’ve no doubt bought a bunch of avocados on sale and had them all become perfectly ripe at the same time when you only need one or two. Do we have some Avocado Savvy Secrets for you?!!!!

In scenario #1 instead of the rich, soft, creamy, fruit you are hoping for and love, your avocado is so hard it could break a window if you tossed it at one. No problem! We’ve come across a solution that will ripen your favorite fruit in minutes. Wrap your avocado in some parchment paper, or a brown paper lunch bag, and place it in a preheated 200 degree oven for about 10 minutes. If the avocado is really, really hard it may take a few minutes more. You aren’t “cooking” the avocado to simulate ripeness, instead, being in the low temp warm oven increases the ethylene production, which is the gas that ripens fruit. You can leave it in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, depending on how hard the avocado is as you begin this process. When it is softened but still firm remove it from the oven and place it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to cool. Slice, peel, and enjoy!

Scenario #2 – If your problem is that you have too many perfectly ripe avocados all at once…. well, now you haven’t got a problem anymore, because we have a Savvy Secret for that! Simply place your ripe, unpeeled avocados in the freezer. They will stay good frozen for about 6+ months. When you’re ready to use them, simply rinse the peel under some warm water for a couple of minutes, then place the fruit on the counter for 20 minutes. Slice and they are ready to be used.

Bon (Avocado/Guacamole) Appetit!