|  Avocados
The avocado is native to
Mexico and Central America
but now is widely cultivated. The tree has a straight trunk with a spreading
crown and will bear fruit four to eight years after planting. The leathery leaves
are elliptical to lanceolate (shaped like a lance head) and strongly veined. The
flowers are small (six millimeters) and grow in bunches. The fruit is a large
fleshy pear shaped drupe with a green skin. There are many varieties and the
skin color and texture varies from variety to variety. The seed is large and has
two halves. The avocado is widely considered a vegetable, since it is commonly
used in salads. However, it is actually a fruit that tastes like a vegetable, and
most markets display it with other typical fruits. In some areas, it is known as
the avocado pear and also the alligator pear due to the pebbly, rough exterior of
one of the common types. The fruit is very rich in vitamins, proteins and fats (7
to 23 %) with little sugar. The tree reproduces by sprouting from the seed or by
budding and can be grown by taking cuttings. The fruit of the avocado is used
primarily as food. Avocados are used not only in salads but also in breads,
desserts, main dishes and non-culinary creams for facials and body massages.
Oil from the avocado has also been used as salad oil and in the manufacture of
cosmetics.
They can be found at Antojito’s Letty’s on Pescador Drive or other street
vendors and shops in San Pedro. Buy them today and make you and yours a
yummy dip or devour over lunch as it compliments many dishes very well.
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Believe it or not, avocados
are in season and if you’re not
familiar with avocados, you’re
missing a rich treat. It’s that
time of season as countless
stalls, shops and even stores
have available these yummy
commodity that compliments
our dishes very well.
