Avocado

Aliases: Avocado or Alligator Pear
Description: Avocadoes originated in Southern Mexico and Central America. Their are about 500 varieties that range in size, color and texture. They all tend to be pear-shaped and range in many shades of green. Their are about 50 to 70 varieties grown in the United States that fall in two main categories. The Florida varieties, which tend to be smooth skinned and are bright green in color and the California varieties of which the Hass variety is most common. It is knobby skinned and dark green to purple-black in color.
Preparation and Serving: It usually cut in half lengthwise to remove the pit and scooped out with a spoon. Avocado flesh turns dark quickly when exposed to air, so it is sprinkled with lemon juice or vinegar to prevent discoloration. Avocadoes are used in many dishes including salads, sandwiches, and guacomole.
Recipe Links: California Avocado Commission--recipe page (more recipes than I can list here); Avocado And Raisin Dip; Avocado with Crab; Shrimp, Avocado & Papaya Salad; Chicken Avacado Rice Salad; Lump Crab Salad with Plantain and Avacado; Chicken Vegetable Soup with Lime and Avocado; Avacado Buttermilk Sherbet; Crab and Avacado Salad; Avacado Buttermilk Sherbet; Avocado and Cheese Pasta Salad; Crab & Avocado Fritters; Picante De Huevos (Egg and Avocado Appetizer); Tropical Avocado and Fruit Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing; African Tomato-Avocado-Buttermilk Soup; Chicken with Avocado Salsa; Marinated Shrimp in Avocado Halves; Creme de abacate (Avocado Cream); Roast Beef and California Avocado Sandwich
Links: California Avocado Commission; Captain Food; Epicurious Dictionary
Books: Whole Foods Companion : A Guide for Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and Lovers of Natural Foods by Dianne Onstad; Click Here to order this book from amazon.com; The Visual Food Encyclopedia by Serge D'Amico (Editor), Francois Fortin (Editor); Click Here to order this book from amazon.com
Nutritional Information

Nutritional Value per 100g Edible Portion
Avocado California Florida

Calories 177 112

Water 74.3% 74.3%

Carbohydrates 7.4 g 7.4 g

Protein 2.11 g 1.59 g

Fat 17.33 g 8.87 g

Fiber 2.11 g 2.11 g

Calcium 11 mg 11 mg

Iron 1.18 mg 0.53 mg

Magnesium 41 mg 34 mg

Phosphorous 42 mg 39 mg

Potassium 634 mg 488 mg

Sodium 12 mg 5 mg

Zinc 0.420 mg 0.420 mg

Copper 0.266 mg 0.251 mg

Manganese 0.244 mg 0.170 mg

Beta Carotene (A) 612 IU 612 IU

Thiamine (B1) 0.108 mg 0.108 mg

Riboflavin (B2) 0.122 mg 0.122 mg

Niacin (B3) 1.921 mg 1.921 mg

Pantothenic Acid (B5) 0.971 0.971

Pyridoxine (B6) 0.280 0.280

Folic Acid (B9) 65.5 mcg 53.3 mcg

Ascorbic Acid (C) 7.9 mg 7.9 mg

Tocophenorol (E) 1.34 mg n/a

Report filed 04.29.98

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