When choosing avocados, you want to know what you are doing because they’re a bit pricey. You need to first figure out when you are going to be using the avocados in a recipe, because selecting the level of ripeness depends on that. The avocados on display at the grocery store or greenmarket will be at varying degrees of ripeness as people buy them and the supply is restocked. If you plan on using the avocado that day you want a ripe one, but if you’re gathering ingredients for a recipe you’re going to make in the next few days, you don’t want them to be that ripe. No one likes a mushy brown avocado. Whatever level of ripeness you choose, always leave them on a counter at room temperature when you get them home. Storing unripe avocados in the refrigerator will prevent them from ripening (if at all) due to the cold.
How to Tell if an Avocado is Ripe
To tell if an avocado is ripe, check the color of the skin. The darker the color of the outside pebbly skin of the avocado, the riper the fruit is inside. Give a gentle press to the outside of the skin—if it gives to gentle pressure it will be ready to use in your recipe. An avocado that feels mushy when giving it a light squeeze is no good and a rock hard avocado isn’t ripe yet, but it will be in a few days. What if you just can’t wait for the ripening process to happen? There is a way to move it along so you can start making that recipe for tomato and avocado salsa, but first, cut the avocado and remove the pit.
How to Cut an Avocado
The best way to cut an avocado is to place it on its side with your knife parallel to the board, then rotate the avocado slicing around the fruit until it can be pulled apart in two pieces. Use a spoon to remove the pit.
How to Ripen an Avocado Quickly
Wrap each half in plastic wrap and microwave on high for two minutes. Remove with tongs or a towel and place in a colander, then run cold water over the plastic wrapped avocado pieces until they are cool to the touch. Remove plastic wrap, scoop out the avocados and get started on that recipe!
How to Ripen a Really Unripe Avocado
If the avocado you want to use is hard-as-a-rock, ripening it will need a little help from the oven. Wrap the avocado in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. If it doesn’t soften after that time, let it stay in the oven a little longer and check every five minutes.
How to Ripen Avocados Naturally
If you aren’t planning to use the avocados immediately, choose fruit that is firm and allow them to ripen slowly over the next few days. Place the avocados in a paper bag along with an apple, then seal the bag and poke some holes in it to allow air to escape. Leave the bag on a counter at room temperature. Avocados and apples release ethylene and this helps with ripening in the closed bag. Now that you know how to ripen avocados quickly, add them to your shopping list and get ready for a lot of delicious meals in your future. Next, try our best avocado-based recipes! Reporting by Alice Knisley Matthias
