Grilled Avocado with Fruit Salsa

As most of you know by now, our dietitians are helping you Color your Basket. January is all about green foods, and we can’t leave out the ever-popular avocado. This delicious fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition and can be used in so many unique ways! Avocados are a great source of the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and are high in potassium and Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps build up your immune system to help fight off infections and sickness which is especially important during cold and flu season!

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the United States, there has been a huge effort to promote a heart healthy diet. As previously mentioned, avocados are full of the heart healthy fats, but they are also very low in the dangerous saturated fats. Evidence shows that replacing foods filled with these fats with avocados has heart-healthy benefits through lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Also, avocados are naturally cholesterol and sodium free. This combination is a mega win nutritionally and for people looking to follow a heart healthy diet. Apart from being nutritionally good for you, avocados are also delicious and can be used in many unique ways.

We personally love to create a delicious dip for vegetables or a whole grain chip. You can even get creative with avocados and try stuffing them with chicken, salsa, and cheese and then grilling them. Especially during the big game this year, this is a great way to enjoy snacking without sacrificing a ton of calories. If you’re looking for a sweeter version, try stuffing the avocado with a fruit salsa. This pumps up the antioxidant power of any meal! However you decide to eat your avocados, you can count on these to help protect you from heart disease. The more creative you are with it, the better!

Grilled Avocado with Fruit Salsa

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 firm ripe fresh avocados

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup honey

1 medium mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into ½ inch cubes

½ lb. strawberries, cut into ½ inch cubes

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup orange juice

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Instructions

1) Preheat the barbecue to medium-high (300-400 degrees F), making sure the grill is well oiled

2) Slice the avocados in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds. In a small bowl, mix together the honey and olive oil. Brush the exposed flesh with the honey and olive oil mixtures, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a cool place.

3) In a medium bowl, combine the mango, strawberries, vinegar, orange juice, and lemon juice. Let sit for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the flavors can blend.

4) Grill the avocados, skin side down, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skin begins to lightly char and take on grill marks. Brush the flesh side of the avocados again with the honey-oil mixture and place them flesh side down on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes.

5) With a spatula, carefully remove the avocados from the grill and place them on beds of lettuce on warm serving plates, 2 halves per person. Fill the seed cavity of each avocado half with the mango-strawberry salsa. Serve with spoons to scoop out the avocado flesh and salsa.