Monounsaturated fat: a healthy source of fat, helps reduce cholesterol levels, and may lower your risk of heart disease.
Fiber: aids in achieving a healthy weight by being more filling than low-fiber foods, helps reduce cholesterol levels, and may lower your risk of heart disease.
Selection
Choose an avocado with firm skin and no soft spots. It should be firm but yield to gentle pressure when ripe.
Storing
Store in a paper bag at room temperature to ripen. It will take 2–5 days to ripen. A ripe uncut avocado can be stored for 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
If you are storing a cut-up avocado, sprinkle some lemon or lime juice or white vinegar on it to keep its green color. Cut avocados will last 1–2 days in the refrigerator.
Cleaning
Rinse avocado under cool running water before cutting.
Preparing
Cut ripe avocado in half lengthwise around the seed. Rotate the halves to separate. Remove the seed by cutting the half with it in half lengthwise again and then easily pulling out the seed. Peel the avocado with your fingers, starting at the small end.
Slice, dice, or mash the avocado. Add as a topping for tacos, soups, and toast, or make homemade guacamole.
