There’s much to adore about the avocado. It’s creamy as mayonnaise, has a mild nutty flavor, and is full of nutrients, all of which help to explain why avocado consumption in the United States has increased fivefold in the past 25 years. This acceleration is all the more amazing given that Americans only use them for guacamole and avocado toast. Today, I’ll give you some fresh ideas on how to prepare avocados—for the Super Bowl, for Valentine’s Day, and for breakfast.
Avocados are technically berries, aka fruit. As such, avocados are the fattiest, most protein-rich fruit on the planet. The Aztecs— who were the first people to eat avocados—named them ahuacatl, which means testicles, as they hang in pairs from the tree. More recently, it has been nicknamed the alligator pear, based on its shape and the color and texture of its skin. On human skin, avocados are prized for the moisturizing glow they impart. As a food, avocados are full of vitamins and high in fiber, potassium, and folate. They’re anti-inflammatory and lower the risk of heart disease.
