I absolutely adore avocados! I’ve been adding them to my salads and also use them in my favorite cowboy caviar recipe.
However, I haven’t had the best success as purchasing ripe avocado’s. My goodness it’s frustrating! {{wink}} Therefore, I decided to learn how to ripen an avocado quickly.
Pick a Ripe Avocado
When searching for a ripe avocado, choose one with a firm flesh, but gives a little when you squeeze.
Unripe avocados don’t give under pressure. Overly-ripe avocados will not have a firm flesh and be too squishy. Handle a bunch of avocados at the market and you will feel the difference. Your best bet is to buy ripe avocados the day that you need them.
Ripening Avocados
According to Eat This, ripening an avocado can be done in the same way that you ripen bananas:
- Place the avocado in a paper bag with an apple, banana, or tomato.
- Fold the bag closed and leave it to sit on the counter overnight.
The ethylene gas in the other fruit will cause the avocado to ripen in about 24 hours. If you don’t have other fruit to put in the bag with the avocado, you can put it in the bag by itself and it will ripen, but it will take longer than overnight.
Avocado Recipe ~ Cowboy Caviar
I make this Cowboy Caviar recipe every time I host an event. It’s now requested from friends which is a wonderful compliment.
Ingredients
2 cans (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (17 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 or 2 large avocados, peeled and diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3-4 Tbsp. lime juice
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and chill. Garnish, if desired with additional avocado slices or cilantro sprigs, and serve with tortilla chips.
What’s your favorite avocado recipe?
I made this over Thanksgiving (minus the olive oil in the dressing)… it was a huge crowd pleaser and I’ve already had family members emailing me asking for the recipe! Thanks so much, it will definitely become one of my favorite go-to dishes! 🙂
My mum made a dinner salad from sliced ripe avocados and tomatoes on a bed of green leaf lettuce. She made a tumeric/curry dressing that was out of this world… I think it was a base of sugar and vinegar boiled until a light syrup, cooled (sweet/sour), then mayonnaise and tumeric stirred in until smooth and creamy. It was always one of her most requested dishes.
I make this all throughout avocado season with a few additions – I add cumin and garlic to the dressing and green onions to the base while taking out the red onion.
This looks so tasty! I love avocado! I also have a consistent issue with choosing avocados and getting to the store the day I need it isn’t likely right now with twins in tow. I often wait until I have several things on my list before I venture out. 🙂 It’s great to have knowledge of how to get them to ripen when I need them! Outstanding tip!
the name is perfectly fitting and comical. Going to give this a whirl, thanks for the recipe.