6 Fresh Ways to Eat Avocados
Go beyond guac and use this luscious fruit for creative meals
The next time you hope to get lucky, have some avocado. As far back as 200 B.C., the ancient Mayans and Aztecs ate the fruit to enhance sexual desirability. But there are plenty of other reasons to eat it, including a dose of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect your vision; good-for-you monounsaturated fat, which keeps your heart healthy; and fiber to fill you up so you feel satisfied. And guacamole isn’t the only way to enjoy it—add these ideas from Brenda Cusick, a California-based avocado rancher and supplier whose goods can be found at AvocadoDiva.com.
No, not you (unless you wish)—Cusick is talking about au naturale food. “Avocados are best enjoyed cut into slices and eaten plain, without salt, lime, or other seasonings so you can taste the different flavors and nuances, such as a smoky undertone or nutty note," she says. Hass avocados from California make up about 95 percent of what’s available in markets, and these are especially savory during summer months when they’re in-season, Cusick says. You can also check out farmer’s markets or sites such as Cusick’s to buy some of the 500 other avocado varieties grown in California and try out all the different flavors.
