Avocado Journey

Now you can judge an avocado for ripeness, know how to open it and remove the pit, here’s an idea for the simplest start to a meal. Serve half an avocado with balsamic vinegar and a little extra virgin olive oil. Along with a dash of salt (kosher if you have it) and some freshly ground pepper, you will have an elegant start to a meal or, if you are not all that hungry, a meal in itself.

It wasn’t necessary to traverse the Road to Guacamole in order to enjoy an avocado. The pleasure of this healthy fruit, just as it is, was always there!

The California Avocado Commission has this nutrition information on its site:

• One-fifth of a medium avocado, or about one ounce, has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 beneficial nutrients to the diet.

• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases.

• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, 4% vitamin C, 8% folate, 4% fiber, 2% iron, 4% potassium, with 81 micrograms of lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene.

• Avocados act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

I guess it’s not always about the journey!