Avocado Prices Are Skyrocketing: Here Are 12 Recipes To Keep From Wasting Overripe Ones

Ripe Avocado
Flickr | Vegan Feast Catering

Do you love avocados? So does everybody else, it seems. There has been a dramatic increase in demand for the fruit. Pair that jump in sales with expectations of a lighter crop this year, and you can expect to pay much more for them at the supermarket very soon, if you are not already.

We’re not suggesting you give up this scrumptious and oh-so-nutritious produce, although your grocery budget may require you to scale back. When you do find avocados on sale or decide to splurge, make sure you eat them before they go bad. The last thing you want to do is toss your pricey “alligator pears” in the trash.

If your avocados are past the perfectly ready stage and are feeling rather mushy, use them up quick! Here are a dozen delicious recipes from breakfast to dessert that turn brown avocados into pure gold.

1. Scrambled Eggs

Avocados and scrambled eggs make a lovely couple for more than one reason. First, they are both have a smooth texture and mild flavors. The power-packing combo of healthy fats and protein in this breakfast recipe will get you off to a strong start, as well.

Flickr | mallydally

2. Moist Muffins

For a morning meal on the sweeter side with the nutritious benefits of avocado, make a batch of tasty muffins. In fact, you can use equal amounts of ripe, mashed avocado as a substitute for butter or oil in all of your favorite homemade baked goods.

Flickr | PersonalCreations.com

3. Healthier Hummus

Guacamole is great, but it’s not the only avocado dip in town. Before you blend your chickpeas, add a couple of peeled, ripe avocados to the food processor. Even if they’re a bit brown, the taste and texture take traditional hummus up a notch.

Flickr | SaucyGlo

4. Spinach Dip

We are not done dipping yet. Swap dairy-based ingredients for avocado in a spinach dip recipe. The result is a scrumptious, vegan appetizer that you can enjoy any time.

Two Green Peas

5. Homemade Mayo

Store-bought mayonnaise might taste good, but it’s not so good for you. Instead of picking up a jar of polyunsaturated fat-, sodium- and preservative-laden mayo, make an avocado-based batch yourself. Once you try it, you will never go back.

California Avocado Commission

6. Creamy Soup

When a lighter meal is called for, you can use overripe avocados as the starting point for a smooth, delicate soup. Just toss some basic ingredients into the blender—sliced avocados, broth, Greek yogurt and spices, for example—to whip up a quick lunch or dinner.

Flickr | stu_spivack

7. Kickin’ Cauliflower “Rice”

Shredded cauliflower can be a delicious substitute for white rice. When you add some smashed, ripe avocado and some sliced jalapeños, you have a flavorful, zesty side dish that is loaded with nutrients.

Eat the Gains

8. Pasta Sauce

Not all noodles have to be grain-based and not all sauces need to be made from tomatoes. Enjoy a wholesome, produce-based meal by topping zucchini noodles (aka “zoodles”) with a scrumptious sauce made from avocado, garlic and a handful of other ingredients.

Naturally Lindsey

9. Frozen Pops

Mashed, ripe avocados freeze beautifully, and if you freeze them in popsicle molds, you get a creamy dessert. Add a few other flavorful ingredients, such as almond milk and cocoa powder, for a guilt-free treat.

Flickr | seelensturm

10. Dreamy Ice Cream

If you prefer a more grown-up frosty dessert, you can scoop up some ice cream. Blend the overripe avocados with some cream, sugar and just a couple of other ingredients and pour the mixture into your ice cream maker.

Flickr | joyosity

11. No-Bake Truffles

What could be more indulgent than dark chocolate truffles? When you make them with mashed avocado, they are so simple and luscious you won’t believe they are also healthy.

Flickr | Better Than Bacon

12. Velvety Frosting

Your aging avocados can be used to make an amazing breakfast, lunch or dinner. They can even be the icing on the cake… literally! Blend those mushy avocados with cocoa powder, maple syrup and coconut oil to make deep, rich chocolate frosting that no one will guess is healthy.

Flickr | luisacontreras-87

[h/t: The Penny Hoarder]

About the Author

Tricia Goss

Tricia is a professional writer and editor who lives in North Texas with her family and one smelly dog. She is a wannabe problem solver, junk food maven professional coffee practitioner, web guru and general communicator. More.

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