Hass Avocado (Each)

THE AVOCADO (OR ALLIGATOR PEAR) IS A FRUIT WITH GREEN FLESH THAT GETS SOFTER AS IT RIPENS. IT SURROUNDS A LARGE PIT (THE SEED), WHICH MUST BE CUT AROUND AND REMOVED. THE PEBBLE-TEXTURED OUTER SKIN CHANGES FROM A LIGHTER YELLOW-GREEN TO DARK GREEN (ALMOST BLACK) AS IT RIPENS. THIS CAN VARY BY VARIETY, HOWEVER, SO FIRMNESS RATHER THAN SKIN COLOR IS THE BEST WAY TO JUDGE RIPENESS.
THE AVOCADO GROWS IN TROPICAL CLIMATES ON TALL TREES. MOST COME FROM MEXICO, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, AND HAWAII, AND THE PEAK SEASON IS LATE WINTER INTO EARLY SPRING. THIS IS WHEN YOU'LL FIND THE CHEAPEST AND BEST ONES OF THE YEAR. AT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR AND DURING SHORTAGES, A SINGLE AVOCADO CAN BE EXPENSIVE. THE AVOCADO CAN ALSO VARY IN SIZE, RANGING FROM THE SMALL, 1-OUNCE "AVOCADITO" TO THE MASSIVE, 5-POUND QUEEN AVOCADO. THE MAJORITY, HOWEVER, ARE PALM-SIZED AND, LIKE THE POPULAR HASS VARIETY, WEIGH ABOUT 6 OUNCES.
AVOCADO CAN BE EATEN RAW AND SCOOPED STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SKIN WITH A SPOON. THE FRESH FRUIT IS OFTEN DICED OR SLICED AND INCLUDED IN SALADS, WRAPS, AND AS A SANDWICH TOPPING. AVOCADO IS ALSO PUREED FOR USE IN DIPS, SMOOTHIES, AND SOUPS, AND IT'S EASY TO MASH BY HAND.

LIKE APPLES AND PEARS, AVOCADO MEAT WILL TURN BROWN ONCE IT'S EXPOSED TO OXYGEN. THIS DOESN'T AFFECT THE TASTE. TO PRESERVE THE GREEN COLOR, SQUEEZE A LITTLE LEMON JUICE OVER THE AVOCADO AS SOON AS YOU CUT IT OPEN. YOU CAN ALSO MIX 2 TEASPOONS OF LEMON JUICE INTO PUREED OR MASHED AVOCADO.

DON'T STORE UNRIPENED AVOCADO IN THE REFRIGERATOR AS IT WON'T RIPEN PROPERLY. INSTEAD, STORE AVOCADO IN PAPER BAGS OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT UNTIL RIPE. AFTER THAT, STORE IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS. AVOID CUTTING AN AVOCADO UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO EAT IT.
THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE AVOCADO LONG-TERM IS BY FREEZING A PUREE. ADD 1 TABLESPOON OF LEMON JUICE FOR EVERY 2 AVOCADOS, THEN FREEZE FOR THREE TO SIX MONTHS IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER. AVOCADO CAN ALSO BE PICKLED IN A VINEGAR BRINE. CANNING THEM IS NOT RECOMMENDED, BUT YOU CAN STORE THE JAR IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS.