I bet you have wondered how to preserve avocado before because I have too! I love avocados, and sometimes I can go overboard and buy too many at once. This can result in avocados going bad quickly, and nobody wants that! Instead, why not preserve them? I was shocked to find that there are many ways you can preserve this tasty fruit, and now I do it all time!
What is so great about avocados?
Some people think avocados are a vegetable, but they are a fruit. Avocado is regarded as a superfood because it is high in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Everyone should eat this fruit because it contains omega 3, vitamin C, E, K, B6, magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid.
Many people love to eat avocados because they are so versatile, so you can use them in salads, smoothies, soups, sauces, and even desserts! Avocados are particularly useful for vegans since they can act as a binder and add creaminess without the need to use any animal products.
Choosing the right avocado
Picking the right avocado at the grocery store may be more complicated than it first appears. Avocados are not easy to choose. Sometimes, you may test one that feels ready to be consumed, but it may take several days to fully ripen. On the other hand, a soft one could already be turning brown or black inside.
If you are going to need your avocados that same day, you should go with some that are soft but have no blemishes or feel to soft. If you want to use your avocados in a few days, you should go with avocados that are hard but starting to turn darker on the outside.
Always avoid bruises, soft spots, loose pits, or if they appear hollow between the skin and the flesh. You can test your avocado by shaking it and if you hear the pit moving, you should not pick that one. You can also test if the avocado has gone bad by gently squeezing it, and if it bruises excessively, or even breaks, then the avocado is not healthy and should be avoided.
How to preserve avocado
You preserve avocados in one of two ways, either by freezing or pickling them.
Freezing avocados
The best way to preserve avocado is through freezing, as it lasts longer. To do this, however, you will need to mash the avocado first.
Start by cutting the avocado in half with a knife, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. You can add the avocado to a food processor or blender and blend until the desired puree consistency. Consider also adding a bit of lemon or lime juice.
If you do not have a blender or food processor, use a potato masher instead. A fork may not be enough because it may not evenly distribute the acid.
Add the mashed avocado into a freezer-safe container, but leave at least 1-inch space at the top so that the food can expand properly. Because the top may turn brown, use a piece of parchment paper or wax paper over the surface of the puree to prevent it from browning. Make sure to label and date your container.
Alternatively, you can use a Ziploc bag, but be sure to remove all the air before you seal it. Place the bag flat in your freezer.
Your frozen avocado can last up to six months. To use your avocado, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before you need it.
Pickling avocado
Pickling is another method used to preserve avocado, but this is especially good for the avocados that are still very firm. Pickled avocados only last about one week.
To pickle avocado, you will need your avocado, vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Heat a mixture of half water and half vinegar along with salt and sugar. You can also add spices, like coriander. Bring the brine to a boil until the sugar and salt dissolve altogether, and then let it cool down.
Cube your avocado while the brine cooks and place the pieces into a sterilized glass jar. Add your brine to the jar and let it settle for a few hours, or even for the day.
You will notice that the color will fade, but the avocados should remain flavorful nonetheless. Be sure to check that the avocados are always covered with brine. Although you may be tempted to process the jars in hot water or a pressure canner, avocados are not supposed to undergo these processes.
If you are still not sure about pickling your avocado, try this easy and tasty recipe!
Don’t let your avocados go to waste anymore!
Now that you know how to choose and preserve avocados, never make the mistake of letting them go bad anymore. You can also start buying avocados in bulk without worrying about expiration dates or money. Enjoy your favorite fruit any time regardless of availability.
