I was born in Southern California, where avocados really do grow on trees. My parents had friends who had several of these trees and during avocado season would regularly give us grocery bags full of avocados. For the first nine years of my life, they were a staple rather than a luxury item and we ate them without ceremony. Frequently dinner would include half an avocado for each of us, the hole in the center filled with homemade Italian dressing. There were also deep bowls of guacamole eaten with health food store tortilla chips and cubed avocado bits tossed in with green salads.
These days avocados don't flow quite as freely into my life. I acquire them in ones and twos as opposed to dozens. But I still like the simple preparation best. In my book there is nothing better than half an avocado, a salt shaker and a spoon.
This philosophy of simple prep rather than complex can translate to many different foods. What are some of the other foods that you all out there in reader-land prefer eating without fuss or major effort?
photo by Marisa McClellan
8-12-2007 @5:34PM James Gess said... I have 2 favorites,
first grab the S/P go to the garden, grab a ripe tomato cut it open . cover it librally with S/P. Eat mmmmh. Second, again the garden, grab a hand full of fresh beans, and basil. wrap a couple of beans with a leaf. dip in olive oil mmmmmmmmh.feta on the side.
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8-12-2007 @5:51PM Lisa said... I'm from So Cal as well, and avocadoes have always been a staple in my family. We put them on tacos, burritos, and hamburgers, or just eat them with a spoon as a side. Personally I think they're best inside a lightly buttered flour tortilla, or filled with tuna for a yummy lunch.
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8-12-2007 @7:46PM Janis said... any piece of fresh fruit, just wash, peel, if necessary, then consume!
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8-12-2007 @7:27PM Mark Holland said... I grew up in Central Florida where avocados do not grow but my father often drove to South Florida on business and would bring back a bag of the big avocados that grow there. My mom showed me how to cut one in half, squeeze lemon juice and salt in the seed cavity, and then mash together. Delicious.
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8-12-2007 @8:37PM Trevor said... I eat cantaloupe exactly the same way - just a salt-shaker and a spoon. On a hot summer day I like to have a whole melon to myself. Gluttolicious!
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8-12-2007 @8:05PM Jessica said... While a much less virtuous option than my fellow readers' offerings of fresh fruit and garden-picked vegetables, I must say that there is nothing more beautiful to me than a scoop of peanut butter straight from the jar. If more decorum is required, a generous spoonful spread thickly on a toasted piece of homemade wheat bread will do the trick. But only if somebody's watching...
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8-13-2007 @10:30PM Jhon said... lol, i learnt from a roomate in college.. to just add sugar instead of salt ;) .. delicious !!
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8-12-2007 @8:38PM jon.amato said... 1 slice good deli ham, 1 slice deli swiss cheese. Place one on top of the other, and roll. mMmMmM.
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8-12-2007 @11:42PM eric said... nothing new to add, sorry. just wanted to say that i am one billion percent behind the avocado with salt idea.
it is the most beautiful, simple, and yet luxuriously delicious thing to me. my favourite thing to do is go to the market, select a perfectly ripe avocado, and hurry home with it, where i peel it, sprinkle it with a tiny bit of salt, and eat it with my eyes closed.
thanks, Marisa, for the post.
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8-12-2007 @11:49PM dan turner said... That sounded so good I went to the store and got an avocado. And it was yummy with salt.
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8-13-2007 @2:53AM moonablaze said... if you want to take it to the next level, try it with garlic salt. yummmmmmmmm...
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8-13-2007 @4:45AM Angela said... Yummm . . . !
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8-13-2007 @8:02AM Wakka said... Avocado + Soy Sauce = Heaven. Just fill the center of a halved avocado with soy sauce and get a spoon :)
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8-13-2007 @11:20AM Patrick Radoszewski said... gowing up in the midwest it was for sure either green beans or tomatoes straight from the garden with salt
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8-13-2007 @2:16PM WG said... Seared on the grill, avocado has the creamy texture of fois gras.
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8-13-2007 @12:52PM invazngirl said... tabasco! a few dashes of tabasco every few spoonful of a halved avocado is heaven.
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8-13-2007 @1:49PM Tea said... I have to second the avocado and soy sauce--major umami yum.
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8-13-2007 @3:15PM Stephan said... The best complimentary flavor I have found for a fresh avocado is a dash of SPIKE instead of salt
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8-13-2007 @5:24PM alosha7777 said... salt is good and is often how I eat it.
tabasco from time to time.
or sliced on a turkey club panini. DROOL.
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8-13-2007 @7:04PM Maggie said... Two things:
1. Watermelon with salt.
2. Mango and hearts of palm with red onion and salt.
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