Friday, May 27, 2011

Avocados: A Taste of California Sunshine!

I'm crazy about avocados. So I was very excited when my box of California Avocados arrived at my doorstep today. As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received the beauties you see here:


I love the pretty little magnets that were thoughtfully tucked inside the box with them. They're now decorating my new fridge, and they make me smile whenever I look at them.

Avocados are one of nature's most amazing foods and were once a luxury reserved only for royalty. They're a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins A, C, and E and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron all wrapped up in a package of buttery-like goodness. They also contain the highest concentration of dietary fiber of any commonly eaten fruit.

Here are some other interesting avocado facts: California produces about 90 percent of the nation's avocado crop, and San Diego County is the Avocado Capital of the US, producing 60 percent of all the avocados grown in California. A single California Avocado tree can produce about 500 avocados (or 200 pounds of fruit) a year! There are over 400 varieties of avocados, and the ones I received are my favorite—of those I've had the good fortune to taste—Hass variety, which is known for its rich, nutty taste and creamy, pale green flesh.

Scientists believe that avocados have been cultivated in Mexico for about 10,000 years, so a Mexican meal seemed like the perfect way to enjoy them.

A Mexican meal would not be complete without a nice bowl of guacamole. I like my guacamole on the simple side, without onions, garlic, or cilantro, so that the flavor of the avocados really shines. I mash one with a spoon, mix it together with a splash of lime juice, sprinkle in some salt, pepper, and a touch of cumin, and add in a small chopped tomato.


Here's our little fiesta table of fajita fixins, salsa fresca, guacamole, and oven-roasted sweet plantains.


While not traditionally Mexican, this luscious raw lemon pudding is so crazy simple and creamy-dreamy delicious, I couldn't resist making it for dessert. It's super rich, so even a dainty portion will make you feel happy.


Ingredients:

2 large ripe avocados, chopped
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions:

Please call ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Makes 4 servings.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Few things in life are as enjoyable as avocados. Everything looks delicious! I can't wait to try the lemon pudding. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Darlene said...

The pudding looks amazing. The guac and fajitas don't look too shabby, either.

Helen said...

I've missed your posts! Glad to see you back in the blogosphere making more delicious vegan goodies! Who doesn't love avocados? Love this post!

VeganMarr said...

Beautiful!

Anna said...

Yum! Yum! I wish I lived in sunny Southern California so I could have an avocado tree. And an orange tree, lemon tree, persimmon tree, cherimoya tree, banana tree ...

Anonymous said...

I made your sweet potato and avocado sandwich for dinner tonight, and it was amazing! Can't wait to try your lemon pudding. :)))

Anonymous said...

Holy guacamole! Everything in this post looks so yummy! I'm going to try that lemon pudding, for sure. So simple.

Angel said...

WOW! What a spectacular spread! I'm thinking fajitas sound perfect for dinner tonight. Guacamole and chips, salsa fresca...and roasted sweet plantain? I thought you had to fry them. Who knew?

Malorie said...

Avocados are one of nature's most delicious gifts. I don't know how I ever lived without 'em. I never had them growing up in Brooklyn, and I don't think I even heard of them before I hit my twenties.

Justine said...

Avocados ... oh, yeah! I think I could live on blackberries and avocados alone. (OK, maybe I'd really miss peaches and mangoes.) LOL! The lemon pudding looks really good. I'll be making it for dessert tonight.

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table said...

I'm loving the pudding idea! I can never get enough avocado. Does the pudding keep for a couple of days with all of that lemon in it?

Vegiegail said...

Hi Laura! Thanks for stopping by! To be honest, I can't tell you if it keeps. Whenever I've made the pudding, it's gone in five minutes!

Gigi said...

Gail,

The lemon pudding looks divine! I LOVE avos and my fav are CA Avo Direct!

I've been enjoying your site this a.m. - finally took a few minutes to spend the time I've been wanting to here.

xoxo,
Gigi

Jillian Lauren Lisitano said...

Beautiful Blog! I am really enjoying it! I have tried the Lemon Pudding before and actually do one omitting the Lemon and adding a bit of Vanila extract, a tablespoon of Raw Coconut Oil and Raw Cacao Powder. Whirl it in my Vitamix and I have real lovely Chocolate Mousse! Love the Post on the Italian Plates. I lived in Italy and I really get sentimental whenever I see anything Italian!

Vegiegail said...

Awe, thank you, Gigi! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit and that you're enjoying. xo

That sounds delicious, Jillian! I'm definitely going to give that a whirl! (Bad pun intended.) I'm envious that you have lived in Italy. That would be like a dream to me.

Get Skinny, Go Vegan. said...

How cool, having avocados delivered to your door. If produce was delivered to my door I would never leave the house!