And the purchasing thereof.
We used to buy our avocados when they were just becoming soft, getting into the dark green/black outer skin color. I cannot eat avocados when they are not almost too ripe for most, as I am somewhat sensitive the fruit at that stage.
Over the years I, I say I but I really mean we, have learned about the above sensitivity from a plethora of experience.
When I first started dating Ivan, in the early ‘70’s, we used to eat warmed flour tortillas with unripe avocado spread on them, just lightly salted, while we were cleaning the kitchen. About 5 minutes into this never-before-known-to-me lusciousness, my lips would begin to swell, my throat, as well, then, if that wasn’t enough, my ears, inside, would start to itch.
I had never had any sensation with which to compare this, so it scared us both. Obviously I stopped eating the lusciousness, though quite begrudgingly, and after 30-45 minutes, the swelling went away. End of story.
Until the next time. Of course it happened again. And again. And then again. I LOVE AVOCADOS.
Over the years, however, I have learned that, if I wait, and eat them when others discard them, when the skin is almost black, they don’t affect me at all. I can eat however much I want.
That said, I have also discovered, over many years of experimentation, of trial, and error, that if I buy them at their most unripe, less molested stage, when they have the brilliant green skin most look for, when they ripen in our home, the beautiful green flesh is just that, beautifully green. Let me show you.
I bought this beauty about 2 weeks before opening it to have it look like it does in the above photo. I buy them rock hard, put them in the hanging vegetable basket in the kitchen for about 3-5 days. Once they start to turn dark, I, very gently, try a bit of pressure to see how soft they are, though nowadays I can tell by the skin, then put them in the fridge on the top shelf.
When I want to open one, have it on a breakfast egg muffin, I take it out of the fridge the night before to let it warm up, open it in the morning, and spread it on the English muffin halves instead of butter. Sublime.
This doesn’t work 100% of the time, but pretty darn close. Closer to 95%. When there is a bit of the darker, less appealing spots, I cut those off, and continue with whatever I’m doing.
Hope this helps you avocado lovers enjoy the most of each of fruit you can.
Until next time, you know the drill. Stay happy, healthy, and safe. Wash your hands, if you do nothing else.