The best things in life are green: avocados, guacamole, Kermit the frog, my husband’s eyes have some green flecks, grass, plants, and many veggies. How can one live a life without green, or avocados? I just don’t know.
On the menu today: avocados, guacamole & their histories. We’ll start first with the fruit behind the dip. Avocado is a tree & the fruit of that tree classified in the flowering plant family, Lauraceae. It is native to Central America & Mexico, but enjoyed worldwide. An average avocado tree produces about 120 avocados per year. An avocado is sometimes called an avocado pear or alligator pear, but the word is derived from its natural Nahuatl name ‘ahuacatl’ which means testicle, due to its shape. I love digging history out.
The avocado was introduced to the US by way of California in the 19th century, following the introduction into Europe in the 15th century, and soon became an extremely successful cash crop. Approximately 95% of the US production of avocados is located in California, the weather is very suitable for this fruit, who cannot stand cold weather- sounds like me.
Avocados are a fatty fruit, sadly, but high in vitamin C. The fruit is the basis for the Mexican dip guacamole and is used as a filling in many sushi dishes. In Brazil & Vietnam avocados are commonly used for milk shakes or added to ice cream. In my house, avocados are welcome just about anywhere and everywhere.
Stay tuned for the history of guacamole & a fantastic Cilantro is Wonderful Guacamole Recipe.
0 comments:
Post a Comment