Avocados

[Carolyn]

This is probably a silly question ... but how do you pick out an avocado?? I'm having awful luck ... they always say that they're ripe if they're soft. So I pick out the ones that are just somewhat soft. But then they only last a day or two and I wind up wasting them. :(

I keep getting cravings for avocados, but then miss out on them. :(

Please help ....

[swingbolder]

I'm pretty good at picking out avocados. They should be firm but not hard. In other words, if you press your thumb into it there should be some give, but not much. If they are very yielding to the touch, they're probably over-ripe, too mushy with yucky brown spots inside.

A good way to acquire the avocado-picking skill is to buy a few of them that are clearly not ripe yet. They'll be rock hard. Bring them home and let them sit out for a few days. They will ripen on your counter and then you'll be able to see the difference.

[Carolyn]

Thanks, Swingbolder! I've tried picking the ones that were a bit firmer, too, but then they didn't ripen, I guess. I'm starting to think this is a science!! :)

[angelandarose]

I usually pick a few that are ripe and then a bunch more that are green. That way I have some to eat when I get home and the others will ripen later and not spoil so quickly.

The more you buy them the better you will be able to judge them.

Love,
Angie

[SimpleGirl]

I always buy them green and hard on Saturday. I place them in a paper bag and by Wednesday they are at the peak of ripeness. This trick works everytime for me. No more guessing at the store if it is too ripe.

[tracyinfo]

Also, once ripe, I place the avocado in the refrigerator. This slows down the ripening.

Blessings.

[SimpleGirl]

Oh-Good to know-Thanks

[Carolyn]

More great tips!!!! Thank you soooo much everyone! :)

Also ... any idea what it means when your body is craving avocados? I'd never even had any until it just started doing this ... so it's not like it was something I had all the time.

Thanks again!! Hopefully I'll have better luck this next time I pick up avocados! :)

[sailaway]

It could be the oil that is in them. About the hard avocado's. For the last 25 years we have had about a dozen trees of different types and the only time they won't ripen is if they are picked to soon. They release an enzyme that starts their ripening process and if picked to soon they will not ripen only shrivel up and stay tough. Put them in a paper bag or drawer and leave them a few days then they should be ripe. If you buy different stages of ripe or put only a few in the bag at a time you will have a continous supply. Check daily and once ripe if you don't want to eat it that day make guacomole out of it. Just remeber to put the seed and maybe a little lemon/lime juice in with the guac. so it stays a fresh green.