How to prep avocado one step at a time

Never stare at another avocado and wonder what to do with it. Get the simple steps to prep and enjoy this healthy-fat fruit in dozens of delicious ways.

How to choose your avocados

The majority of avocados are sold unripe as they bruise easily. Make sure that your avocados are firm, heavy and on the large side as this usually means that there is more flesh than pit.

To choose a ripe avocado gently press around the stem and if it yields then the fruit is ripe.

Hass avocados are the only varieties that change colour from green to black when they are ripe, all other types are green when ripe.

How to store your avocados

Avocados should be stored at room temperature until they are ripe. You may be able to speed up the avocado ripening process by placing unripe avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana for two to three days.

After an avocado has ripened you may store it in your fridge, otherwise, its flavour may be ruined.

You can store cut avocados by squeezing lemon juice on the cut flesh and keeping them covered in your fridge.

Removing the pit…

STEP 1:
Cut the avocado in half lengthwise around the pit, make sure you have control over the avocado and be careful with your fingers.

STEP 2:
Once cut, twist and separate the two halves.

STEP 3:
To remove the pit, fold a kitchen towel then use to securely hold the avocado half with the seed.

STEP 4:
Then, gently hack the knife blade into the pit, twist to remove the pit on the blade

ALTERNATIVELY:
You can use a spoon to remove the seed, but you may lose some of the flesh doing it this way.

CARTOON AVOCADO PREP USINGA . SPOON TO REMOVE THE PIT

Peeling your avocado…

Using a large spoon slide it between the skin and the flesh of the avocado half. Work from the wide bottom to the top in one movement to remove the whole piece.