The Versatile Avocado
By Patricia Alvarado Nuñez
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(Patricia Alvarado Nuñez/WGBH)
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In Latin America, avocados have always been well regarded. This subtropical fruit has been cultivated for thousands of years in Mexico and Central America. Mexicans, who seldom eat a meal without them, are the main consumers of avocados worldwide, eating an average of 20 pounds per person per year.
Growing up in Panama, Central America, I remember the avocado tree in the back of our house, which produced huge avocados, at least three or four times the size of the ones found in supermarkets in the U.S. At home we enjoyed our avocados raw, with a pinch of salt and squirt of lime, or with a spoonful of sugar on top.
The United States is the second largest consumer of avocados in the world, due in part to the growth of the Latino population. In kitchens across the U.S., you will find avocados used in every imaginable way: in smoothies and shakes, diced on top of salads, in soups, inside sandwiches and burgers, next to seafood, in ice cream, in sushi rolls and dips. Of course they are the primary ingredient in guacamole.
Since I have always admired the qualities of the avocado, I am glad to see chefs featured in Neighborhood Kitchens working the fruit into their own delicious recipes. Try some of these at home.
Did you ever hear of avocado fries? Bristol Lounge’s Chef Jose Gamez shares his popular recipe.
>>RECIPE
Chef Leo Romero, owner of Mexican restaurant Casa Romero, prepares a simple ceviche with slices of avocado.
>>RECIPE
Scampo's head chef, Simon Restrepo, creates a salad out of this world…with mozzarella cheese, king crab legs…and avocado.
>>RECIPE
Café Azteca’s Antonio Guerrero prepares sopes, a tasty street snack, with pork, refried beans, sour cream and guacamole.
>>RECIPE
Taranta’s chef Jose Duarte prepares a Lobster Causa with Peruvian potatoes, aji amarillo, botija olives, tomatoes and avocado.
>>RECIPE
MORE RECIPES
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About Neighborhood Kitchens
Building on a 34-year history of producing Latino and multicultural programming, WGBH’s award winning La Plaza team has a new offering — Neighborhood Kitchens, a series about the exploration of culture through food. Every week the show offers a unique window into immigrant communities in New England.Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 6:30pm on WGBH 2
Fridays at 7:30pm on WGBH 44
About the Author
Patricia Alvarado Nuñez is an award-winning producer creating Latino and multicultural programming for WGBH and La Plaza. (She cooks, too!)
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In each episode, host Margarita Martinez visits a different ethnic restaurant and learns three delicious recipes from the chef. She also explores the restaurant’s neighborhood, discovering hidden gems along the way. Join her as she learns about new ingredients, new cultures, and new neighborhoods. Hasta pronto!
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Margarita's Neighborhood Visits
>>Boston's South End:
Orinoco and Teranga
>>Boston's Back Bay: Casa Romero
>>Boston's North End: Taranta
>>Roxbury: Merengue
>>Boston's Beacon Hill: Scampo
>>Cambridge: Muqueca and Oleana
>>Boston: Bristol Lounge
>>Somerville: Dosa Temple
>>Lawrence: Cafe Azteca
>>Lowell: Simply Khmer







