That said, unless you live in an avocado-growing region like Southern California or Florida (or perhaps the Rio Grande Valley in Texas), you probably haven't given much thought to the avocados that are available year-round in grocery stores. If we ever needed a food metaphor for the culinary melting pot that is American food, avocados and guacamole could be it. And it's no quirk that the two biggest consumption days in the United States are Super Bowl Sunday and Cinco de Mayo. That's the weight of avocados that Americans eat each year. However, a hard, unripe avocado is best for recipes that call for baking or cooking the avocado.Aztec pictogram for the town of Ahuacatlan, a “place where there are many avocado trees”Ī billion pounds. Yes, you can eat an unripe avocado, but if the velvety, buttery texture of an avocado is what you love, you'll be disappointed. When a firm avocado is wrapped in plastic, the plastic traps the gas close to the fruit, causing it to ripen faster. Why it works: As with the paper bag and oven methods, it's the ethylene. Once cool enough to handle, unwrap the halves and place them in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes (allow extra time for very hard avocados). Cover each half with microwave-safe plastic wrap and cook for 30-second intervals on medium-high until desired softness is achieved. How to do it: First, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. This method will cause a bit of a stink (seriously!) the microwave should only be used as a last resort. What you need to know: With this method, expect to sacrifice the avocado’s naturally buttery taste and silky texture. THAI YUAN LIM / EYEEM // Getty Images How to ripen an avocado in 10 minutes: Use the microwave. Wrap the foil close for maximum gas exposure. Why it works: Again, it's the ethylene gas, which is trapped by the foil. Let them sit for at least an hour (longer if they are super hard). Let cool, then unwrap the avocados and place them in the refrigerator. Bake at 200☏, checking every 5 to 10 minutes, until the desired softness is achieved. How to do it: Tightly wrap each avocado in foil, and place in a shallow ovenproof dish. Be warned that the taste and texture of the avocado will be compromised. What you need to know: The aluminum foil-oven method is best when you need an avocado quickly but not immediately. How to ripen an avocado in a few hours: Use the oven! This method takes about 2 to 3 days, too. The flour absorbs excess moisture while helping trap the ethylene. Place the avocado on top tightly seal the bag. Apples and bananas emit this gas as well, so when hard avocados are paired with an apple or banana inside a brown paper bag, the ethylene becomes more concentrated, therefore avocados ripen faster.ĭon't have fruit? Use flour! If you don’t have an apple or banana, try filling the bottom of the bag with 2 inches of flour. Avocados produce this gas, which helps the ripening process. Why it works: These fruits produce ethylene gas. Make sure there are no holes or gaps in the bag, and check once daily until the avocado is ripe. How to do it: Start by placing hard avocados in a paper bag with a banana or an apple and seal it tightly. (And though we can't guarantee this trick will work overnight, it's worth a Hail Mary attempt if you're tight on time and hope to avoid using the oven or microwave the day of.) What you need to know: While this ripening trick is not super fast, if you can take 48 to 72 hours, you'll get the best result with this method. Try these avocado-softening hacks, and get ready to add a plethora of avocado dishes to your arsenal that are guaranteed to be favorites at the next family gathering! How to ripen an avocado in 2 to 3 days: Use a paper bag. Plus, we tell you the pros and cons for each method. Sometimes we need a shortcut, however, so here's what to do if you need to ripen avocados quickly, whether you have a couple days, a few hours, or 10 minutes. Use them when they are still firm but give slightly when gentle pressure is applied to the root end. The best way is to let avocados soften is naturally on the countertop. And if you really want to get the party started, why not bring guacamole! The creamy texture of ripe avocados is a classic addition to nearly any dish.īut what to do if the only avocados you have on-hand are as hard as rocks, nowhere near ready to eat? We're here to share a few tricks for how to speed up the ripening of your avocados when you're in a crunch. If your friends and family laugh every time you volunteer to bring a covered dish (aka a casserole), it's time to up your potluck game with some tried-and-true dishes that travel well in a cooler or slow cooker.
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