Like that heartless clerk at the DMV who never, ever smiles, we've all encountered one of those avocados that just won't soften up, no matter what. But when you go to renew your license, you expect that sort of icy treatment. When you buy an avocado, you only dream of the great things to come—like guacamole or avocado toast.
So what are you supposed to do when you finally accept that the green fruit that's been sitting on your counter for a week just isn't going to reach it's full, ripened potential? Throwing it out just feels wrong. (That's $1.50, plus your anti-food waste cred, down the drain.) But trying to eat it feels...gross.
Thankfully, there's another option: Turn your inedible avocado into something delicious. It sounds impossible, but there are plenty of ways to make this happen. Here are 7 unusual ideas worth trying. (Snack AND lose weight with this box of Prevention-approved treats from Bestowed.)
Stuff it.
Treat your avocado like a bell pepper or tomato: Halve it, stuff it with something tasty (like an egg, spicy black beans, or quinoa and veggies), and bake until your filling is cooked through. A ripe avocado would get sort of mushy and melty in the oven, but an underripe one will get just-right soft. And it's a lot healthier than a bread bowl.
MORE:12 Foods That Lower Cholesterol Naturally
Grate it.
Trying to grate a buttery, ripe avocado would be like trying to teach a goat to make pancakes: Bizarre, messy, and just plain thankless. But shredding an underripe avocado is pretty easy, and it yields the same rich, creamy texture as shredded cheese. And like your beloved cheddar or mozz, it's perfection with scrambled eggs, tossed into salads, or sprinkled on top of pretty much everything.
Make avocado fries.
They're more decadent than fries made with plain old spuds and better for you at the same time. (How often does that happen?) Slice your avocado into thick wedges, dredge it in crispy panko, and bake until golden. The crispy-creamy result is so delicious, you might actually start seeking out rock-hard avocados on purpose.
MORE:6 Delicious Veggie Fries That Aren't Sweet Potatoes
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Tuck it into enchiladas.
Fold diced avocado into your favorite enchilada filling before stuffing the tortillas and baking. Just like the fries and stuffed avocado, the green cubes will get just soft and creamy enough—without turning into a puddle of mush.
Add it to a stir-fry.
Cube your avocado just like tofu, then toss it into your wok or sauté pan with your other stir-fry ingredients. The outside of the avocado will sear and get slightly caramelized, while the inside turns soft and buttery. Seriously, don't knock it 'til you've cleaned your entire plate.
Toss it on the grill.
Putting soft, ripe avocado halves on your barbecue is a great way to start a grease fire. But underripe ones hold their shape, and even get a nice char on the surface. All you have to do before serving is add a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
MORE:8 More Genius Things To Do With An Overripe Avocado
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Pickle it.
Got a couple hours before it's time to eat? Give sliced avocado a soak in your favorite pickling brine. The vinegar makes the avocado slightly softer, and mellows out the weird raw flavor. Stuff the pickled avocado in a burger or wrap, or chop into smaller pieces and add them to salad.
Marygrace Taylor
Marygrace Taylor is a health and wellness writer for Prevention, Parade, Women’s Health, Redbook, and others. She’s also the co-author of Prevention’s Eat Clean, Stay Lean: The Diet and Prevention’s Mediterranean Kitchen. Visit her at marygracetaylor.com.
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