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How To Slice An Avocado
I was surprised to learn that the word avocado comes from the early Aztec times and means testicle. I get the reference, but perhaps back then they just never saw those really big Florida avocados, you know, the ones no one likes. If the Aztecs saw those massive Florida ‘cados, they may have chosen a different word. I can’t verify it, but I hear they called avocados by other names – Tenochitlan or Oaxacan Oysters, Cajones del Arboles, or just Tasty Testes. You can bet the early vegans were pleased. The cajones de arboles were always a hit at the yearly avocado festival. I have to say, though, even with the testicle reference, avocado is much more appetizing than “gator pear”, which is how folks sometimes referred to avocado. I once was served a baked gator pear at a hotel in Britain. Yep – massive fail. I would have rather had a plate of testicles. Not that I think avocado should not be cooked, I just have not seen recipes where cooking them has been perfected yet. Of course, back when I stayed at that hotel, the term British Cooking did more to raise fear and loathing than to make the mouth water.
I just love avocados – creamy, rich with that subtle nutty flavor. I use them as often as I can as I think they add a lot to dishes and can be a dish unto themselves. They are easy to handle and readily available. As with onions and mango, the slicing of avocado is simple, but a little technique is needed to get the job done. It’s not fancy. The dicing and mashing of avocado is just as easy. The video and pictures below show you all you need to know about how to slice an avocado including how to choose an avocado that is ripe.
How to Slice an Avocado: The Steps.
First – Open The Avocado.
| 1. Choose a Ripe Avocado – One That Yields to Gentle Pressure. | 2. Carefully Push the Blade of a Sharp Knife Longitudinally into The Avocado Until It Hits The Seed. |
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| 3. Continue Running The Knife Around The Avocado Until It Has Gone Fully Around The Fruit. | 4. When The Knife Has Gone All The Way Around The Avocado, Give The Avocado A Twist. |
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Removing The Avocado Seed.
| THE NOT SO SAFE WAY TO REMOVE THE AVOCADO SEED – Hold the Avocado in Hand. Strike the Seed with a Knife Blade. Twist to Remove. | THE SAFE WAY TO REMOVE THE AVOCADO SEED – Hold the Avocado in Hand. Gently Dig The Seed Our With Fingers or a Spoon. |
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Quartering The Avocado.
| 1. Lay a halved Avocado, seed removed, Skin Side up on a Cutting Board. | 2. Slice the Avocado Half in Half With Skin on. |
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| 3. Peel the Quartered Avocado. | |
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Slicing The Avocado.
| 1. Peel the Avocado Half. Place the Avocado Half Flat on a Cutting Board. | 2. Slice the Avocado Half Lengthwise or Widthwise. |
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Dicing The Avocado.
| 1. Hold the Avocado Skin Side Down. Make Slices The Length of the Avocado Without Piercing the Skin. | 2. Make Cross Cuts In a Hatch Pattern Across the Avocado. |
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| 3. Push the Skin up from Behind to Push Pieces of Avocado Out. Use a Spoon to Scoop Out the Pieces if Needed. | |
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For A Smaller Dice of Avocado.
The Thickness of the Slices Determines the Size of the Dice. A Very Ripe Avocado May be More Difficult to Dice.
| 1. Cut an Avocado In Half. Peel the Avocado and Place Flat Side Down On A Cutting Board. | 2. Make Slices Horizontally Across The Avocado Making Layers. |
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| 3. Slice the Avocado Lengthwise. | 4. Turn the Avocado 90 degrees and Slice End to End. |
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How To Slice An Avocado – Equipment
You can use one of those fancy avocado slicer gadgets
What To Do With All That Sliced Avocado?
There are many things you can do with all that sliced and diced avocado. Sure, you can make guacamole, but don’t forget about avocado soup! Some nice ripe avocado is also welcome in summer rolls, too!
So whether you call it avocado, cajones de arboles or gator pear, they are easy to open, de-seed, slice and dice! I hope you enjoy!
Keep Eating! Keep Innovating!
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This post was previously published on February 20th 2015. It was re-published with new information.
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