You've likely heard that avocados are full of fat. However, most of the fat in avocados is monounsaturated, a type of fat that can raise good cholesterol levels and lower the amount of triglycerides and bad cholesterol in your bloodstream. To incorporate heart-healthy avocado into your diet, think beyond guacamole. You can mash or puree the avocado and use it instead of mayonnaise or butter on sandwiches, advises the New York University Langone Medical Center. You can also add it to salads or use it as an accompaniment for meat dishes. Before you can serve avocado, however, you first have to slice it.
Step 1
Place the avocado on a cutting board and hold it upright so that it rests on its wider end.
Step 2
Cut into the middle of the avocado's top with a sharp knife. Slide the knife down into the top until it reaches the large pit.
Step 3
Rotate the knife around the pit, slicing into the fruit until you create two halves.
Step 4
Separate the two halves by placing one hand on each half and twisting them in opposite directions.
Step 5
Remove the pit from the half in which it is stuck by scooping it out with a spoon.
Step 6
Separate the flesh of the fruit from the thick skin by inserting the tip of a spoon between the two and rotating it around the avocado half to scoop it out. Repeat this process with the other half.
Step 7
Place the two avocado halves face down on the cutting board.
Step 8
Cut the halves lengthwise into slices of your desired thickness for the recipe you are preparing. Use a sharp knife intended for slicing or chopping to make slicing the fruit easier. You can also help keep the fruit intact by holding down the cutting board with your free hand to steady it as you slice. Avoid holding onto the fruit directly because the soft fruit is easily bruised.
Tips and Warnings
- Once cut, avocados begin to turn brown almost immediately. You can prevent this unsightly discoloration by sprinkling the avocado flesh with lemon or lime juice or even white vinegar. When buying avocados, squeeze them gently to test for ripeness. A ripe avocado will give from the pressure of your fingers, but if it leaves a dent the fruit is overripe. To ripen avocados quickly, place them in a paper bag stored on a kitchen countertop for a few days. To speed up the process even more, put an apple in the bag as well; it will give off ethylene gas that will ripen the fruit even more quickly. Ripe fruit will keep in the refrigerator for two to three days. You can also freeze mashed or pureed avocado in airtight containers. Before freezing, mix in 1/2 tbsp. lemon or lime juice to prevent discoloration when it thaws, the California Avocado Commission advises.
Things You'll Need
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Spoon
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