Shari's Update - 7/27/2023

July 31st is National Avocado Day.  WCHI offered frozen avocados to our Pantry Guests at both our July 13th and July 20th food distributions.

From FeedingPA - “Avocados are known for their "good" fats. Monosaturated fat, the main type of fat in avocado, can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood which may help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.   If you're a little unsure about giving avocado a try, consider adding some to a smoothie.  It brings a delicious creaminess without an overpowering flavor.

How to Cut an Avocado.  You will need 1 avocado, a cutting board, a sharp knife, and a spoon is optional.

1. Place the avocado on a cutting board.  Holding the avocado firmly in place with one hand, use the other hand to cut avocado in half with a sharp knife end to end, until the knife hits the pit.  Rotate avocado, keeping knife steady, to cut around pit.
   
2. Twist both parts apart.
   
3. Carefully press knife into pit, twist just a little, and the pit should come out.
   
4. If slicing, use a spoon and loosen skin around avocado to remove the flesh (soft green part).  Do the same with the other half.
   
5. Place avocado half cut side down on cutting board and slice end to end with knife.  Do the same with the other half.
   

Tips:

1. Avocados are ripe when they turn from green to black and give to firm, gentle pressure.
   
2. Once an avocado is ripe, eat within two days or store whole in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
   
3. Avocados can be peeled, cut and frozen in a freezer-safe storage bag for up to 4 to 6 months.
   
4. To prevent cut avocados from turning brown, toss in lime or lemon juice, cover, and store in refrigerator for up to one day.”
   

Below “The History timeline and more info on avocados from https://nationaltoday.com/national-avocado-day/
8000 BC - Avocados eaten in Mexico.  Archaeologists have found evidence that wild avocados were gathered and eaten in central Mexico.
3000 BC - Avocado trees grown. Researchers believe that Mesoamerican tribes like the Inca, the Olmec and the Maya grew domesticated avocado trees.
1696 - The avocado is named. Naturalist, Sir Hans Sloane, names “the avocado or alligator pear-tree" in his catalog of Jamaican plants.
1833 - Welcome to the U.S.  Horticulturist, Henry Perrine, first plants avocados in Florida.
1950s - Into the mainstream.  Avocados become commercially available in the U.S., with people mostly adding them to salads.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY
They're extremely healthy. Avocados played a huge role in the health food revival in the U.S. a generation ago and for good reason. They're packed with potassium to keep your blood pressure lower, oleic acid for reducing inflammation, fiber for your metabolism and antioxidants that keep your eyes healthy.  

They're incredibly versatile in the kitchen.  Avocados are nothing if not a culinary imagination booster! We're not just talking guacamole and toast. You can use them as a base for salad dressing, chilled soup, ice cream, pudding, pasta sauce, bread and lots more.

5 TASTY FACTS ABOUT AVOCADOS
1.     Super treat -Football fans consume 53.5 million pounds of guacamole on Super Bowl Sundays.
2.    Berry good - Because it's a fleshy fruit produced from a single ovary, an avocado is actually a berry.
3.    They're #1 - Avocados contain the most protein and fiber of any fruit.
4.    Count 'em -There are 1,062 varieties of avocado.
5.    Gator guac - In Jamaica, avocados were once called "alligator pears.”  

I hope you enjoyed this article.  Have a great week!!

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