An alligator pear is actually an avocado and is given this alternative name for its alligator-like skin. Avocados provides more protein than any other fruit and contains more potassium than bananas.
You can grow your own avocado tree at home from using the pit! They are great low-maintenance indoor trees, but usually do not bear fruit due to genetic alteration (you would have to graft the seedling with a fruit producing seedling).
Here are simple directions on how to grow your very own avocado tree. Keep in mind that it will be at least 2-3 months in water before it will be ready for planting.
Here are simple directions on how to grow your very own avocado tree. Keep in mind that it will be at least 2-3 months in water before it will be ready for planting.
1. Peel and eat avocado, taking great care not to cut the pit. Rinse any leftover fruit off the pit. Don't remove the brown seed cover.
2. Stick 2-4 toothpicks about 5mm into the pit, narrow side pointed up. The toothpicks will rest on the edge of a container (jam jar, small bowl, glass).
3. Fill container up with water so the bottom half of the pit is submerged and top half is not. Keep the narrow end up.
4. Keep container near a window or well-lit area. Change the water every 2 days to avoid mold and bacteria growth.
5. The avocado takes several weeks to begin to root. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the avocado's brown outer layer will begin to dry out and wrinkle, eventually peeling off. Soon after, the pit should begin to split open at the top and bottom. After 3-4 weeks, a snake-like tap root (mine had two) should begin to emerge at the base of the pit.
6. When the stem is six to seven inches long, cut it back to about three inches. When the roots are thick and the stem has had a chance to re-grow leaves (after at least one pruning), your baby avocado tree is ready to be planted in soil. Remove the sprouted pit from the water container, and gently remove each of the toothpicks. Fill a pot with potting soil to 2 cm below the top. Smooth and slightly pack the soil, adding more soil as needed. Once the soil is prepared, dig a narrow hole deep enough to accommodate your avocado's roots and pit. Carefully put the avocado pit in the soil, keeping the top-half of the pit above the surface of the soil. This ensures that the base of the seedling trunk doesn't rot under the soil. Pack the soil lightly around the pit.
Water plant daily, or enough to keep soil moist (not muddy). If the leaves turn brown at the tips, the tree needs more water. If the leaves turn yellow, the tree is getting too much water and needs to be permitted to dry out for a day or two. Low lighting and/or improper watering can create weak stems and branches, which could cause the plant to collapse under its own weight. You may need to transfer tree to a new pot in a year or two. (Instructions for growing in a garden)
There are some great salads out there that contain avocados. Here is one of my favorites. It is very easy and light. It is excellent as a side dish to something heavy, such as pasta. Make this salad at the last minute, or cut up and add the avocado to the salad right before serving. When the avocado's skin is removed, the air causes it to turn brown. So serve immediately, for the sake of presentation.
Avocado & Tomato Salad
(serve immediately)
4 large tomatoes, diced
4 avocados, diced
chopped fresh basil
roasted corn (optional)
Corn
Drain a can of whole kernal corn (or cut cooked corn off the cob) and spread onto baking sheet. Mix with 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Roast at 450°F, stirring often until golden.
Salad Dressing
You can use olive oil with some white wine, salt, and pepper.
Or use this vinaigrette recipe below:
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 lemon
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil (according to taste)
Here is a creamier version of the avocado and tomato salad.
2 cups sweet corn kernels
1 avocado (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 cup tomatoes (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 cup black beans
2 green onions (sliced)
1 handful cilantro (chopped)
4 slices bacon (chopped and cooked)
creamy salsa verde dressing (see below)
Mix all together with dressing. Make sure you serve this immediately due to browning of avocado.
Creamy Salsa Verde Dressing
1/2 cup salsa verde
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
1 lime (juice)
1/4 cup cilantro
Puree everything in a blender or food processor.
