Slice, dice, mash, scoop, spread, puree… just eat them! This year promises to be an avolicious season with local avocados hitting the shelves as early as March!
It’s a good thing too, because there’s just so much you can do with avos. They are perfect for anytime of the day, from breakfast, lunch and supper dishes to snacks on the run, lunchbox treats and even dessert.
Avos are also suitable for every meal, hot or cold. Think avo smothered on toast with a hint of lemon juice; avo in sandwiches, pita breads or wraps; avo dips, soups and salads; and avo ice-cream, cheesecake and sorbet.
They’re the ultimate fuss-free ingredient, as they need very little preparation. This makes them ideal for busy moms looking for convenient, tasty foods for the whole family.
Avos are high in dietary fibre, a source of pantothenic acid, virtually free of sodium and are proud titleholders of the Heart Mark.
They have also earned themselves a reputation for possibly assisting in reducing cholesterol levels, as they are high in monounsaturated fat which is associated with lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Because of this relatively high fat content, avos have long been vilified as being fattening and unhealthy.
But years of scientific research have busted this myth and revealed not only their benefits, but also that they might actually aid weight loss because they make you feel full for longer.
South African consumers are fortunate to have numerous avo varieties to choose from: the popular green-skinned cultivars such as the Fuerte, Pinkerton and Ryan – available from March to August – and the nutty-flavoured, dark-skinned Hass, which is available from June to November.
With the local avo harvest fast approaching there’s now no excuse not to get your dose of avo goodness every day.
- For a rundown of the various varieties available in South Africa, click here. In a nutshell, the two most popular varieties are Fuerte, available from March to July and Hass, available from May to October.
For avolicious recipes visit www.avocado.co.za and like us on Facebook I love Avocado SA
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