Avocado is one of the earliest fruits and it is of the berry family consumed in Mesoamerica.  Its oldest evidence dates back almost 10,000 years ago to the Coxcatian region of Puebia in central Mexico.  From there the avocado was dispersed from North and South America and then Europe and the rest of the world.  Avocado is now among the most important and traded tropical berry fruit in the world with Mexico as its major producer.

Avocados are a good source of Vitamin E, which is not only essential for the normal functioning of the body but is also a potent anti-oxidant which protects polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes from free-radical attack.  Free-radicals are linked to the beginnings of cancer and heart disease.

Avocados also contain large amounts of Vitamin C which is necessary for the production of collagen needed for the growth of new cells and tissues, prevents viruses from penetration of cell membranes, and also is a powerful anti-oxidant, converts carbohydrates to glucose to fuel the brain and nervous system and riboflavin helps the body to release energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

The avocado is low in calories and good for so many things, but the best is a cupcake found early this year.

Makes 24 mini-cupcakes or 12 large

1 box of dark chocolate cake mix

1 can of black beans

1 cup of water

Rinse beans and blend with 1 cup water—add cake mix

Bake 350 degrees for 12 minutes or when a tooth pick is clean

Frosting: 3 avocados, 1 box of confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon of lemon juice, 1-teaspoon vanilla

Mix everything in food processor –mix well and ice cupcakes

Recipe for Avocado Dip

3 avocados, 1 can of rotel, 1 onion chopped very fine, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, mix well and serve with corn chips

Recipe for a Avocados Spread

3 avocados, 3 tablespoons of Mayo, 1 tablespoon of lime, 3 tablespoons of fine onion or juice onion powder about 4 shakes, 2 shakes of garlic—chill spread on a sandwich very good

Face mask; Mix ¼ cup each of avocado puree and sour cream. Gently rub on face and neck, avoiding the sensitive areas around the eyes, let it soak in about 15 minutes.  Rinse with tepid water.  Then gently massage the invisible oil into the skin with an upward and outward motion.

You can use avocados for butter in in recipes –in anything I have found in a pound cake it is wonderful.  They are good for your eyes, age spots and your memory.  I have found I didn’t get enough the other day and could not remember what I had gone in a room to get. I had double the next day.

A fact about the fruit berry: it will not get ripe on the tree. After pulling, it will be about seven days before they are soft enough to use.

Happy Cooking

Sam