In honor of Global Recycling Day, we’re offering ways for your shoppers to use the whole avocado so nothing goes to waste. If anyone ever finds themselves with more ripe fruit than expected, there are some easy ways to enjoy the avo-goodness beyond the guac.
Avocados can help inspire tasty options to use up leftovers and eliminate food waste. Here are some mouth-watering, no-waste avocado dishes to help shoppers make the most of every morsel.
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- Avo Topped Potato Pancakes
- Easy Avo Toast with Poached Eggs
- Chicken, Avocado & Bacon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
- Tuna, Avocado & Egg Salad
But what about the parts of the avocado that people don’t typically eat: the pit and tough skin that protects the goodness inside the fruit? Believe it or not, there are other uses:
Avocado-seed extracts have many health-related bioactive properties that can be used to formulate or fortify food.
Avocado powder
Simply dehydrate avocado pits in the oven on low heat for a couple of hours, then pulverize them in a food processor to make a powder to use in smoothies, bread, salads, and other dishes.
Avocado tea
Place the pit in a small pan of water and boil it for about five minutes to soften. Finely chop the pit to release the nutrients and then infuse it in boiling water for five minutes to make a tea. Strain the tea when pouring a cup, then add a little honey to sweeten things up.
Avocados also have external uses to help moisturize, soften, and exfoliate skin.
Avocado facial
Avocado oil contains antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamins C and E, which help to moisturize skin. Turn your avo peels inside out and rub any remaining flesh over your skin to make it soft and hydrated, with improved elasticity. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Avocado foot scrub
Add a ground avocado pit into the mashed flesh of one fresh avocado, then add the juice of half a lemon and a spoonful of coarse salt. Mix thoroughly and rub onto your feet using a circular motion, allowing the oils from the avocado to hydrate your skin, then rinse it off.
After you’ve used up as much of your avocado as possible, consider composting any remaining skin or pits. Due to their tough makeup and slow-decomposing nature, these remaining avo bits can be challenging to break down. However, you can cut the skin into smaller pieces and grind the pit into a powder to speed the process up.
Whether you do your own composting or your local waste management offers a composting option, ensure any remaining avocado parts continue to do good long after the meal.
Avocados can help inspire tasty options to use up leftovers and eliminate food waste. Here are some mouth-watering, no-waste avocado dishes to help make the most of every morsel.
Avo Topped Potato Pancakes
Serves 2
Are you looking for a healthy and wholesome dish that’s also a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes? Look no further than these yummy hashbrown-inspired pancakes.
Potato Pancakes Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 2 eggs
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ⅛ tsp. garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp. onion powder
- 2-3 Tbsp. oil for frying
Potato Pancake Instructions
- Mix mashed potatoes, eggs, flour, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powders in a bowl.
- Preheat the skillet and add oil.
- Pour 1/4 cup batter into the hot pan and brown on both sides.
Topping Ingredients
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, sliced
- 4 oz. lox, sliced
- ½ cup sour cream or goat milk cheese
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Arrange warm potato pancakes on a serving plate.
- Top each with your choice of avocados, lox, tomatoes, or sour cream as desired.
- Enjoy.
Easy Avo Toast with Poached Eggs
Serves 2
This easy variation of avocado toast adds a poached egg for a delicious breakfast or brunch option packed with nutrients and flavor. Fuel up your day with this tasty recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 slices wheat toast
- 2 eggs, poached
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Top the toast with avocado slices.
- Add a poached egg and slice it open to reveal the yolk.
- Season to your liking.
- Devour!
Chicken, Avocado & Bacon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
Serves 2
Do you have extra avocados or leftover chicken? This recipe blends fresh and roasted ingredients to create a tasty, healthy, protein-rich salad with a creamy dressing.
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely mined
- 1 Tbsp. dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Whisk dressing ingredients together until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, chopped
- 1 grilled or roasted chicken breast, shredded
- 4 strips of crispy bacon, chopped
- 4 cups lettuce of choice
Instructions
- Add shredded lettuce in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss.
- Transfer salad to serving bowls.
- Top with chicken, avocado, and bacon.
- Drizzle with remaining dressing,
- Serve immediately.
Tuna, Avocado & Egg Salad
Serves 2
This recipe is a delicious, healthy, and quick lunch or snack option. The combination of creamy avocado, protein-packed eggs, and flavorful tuna makes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 12-oz can albacore tuna, drained
- 1 large avocado, peeled, pitted, chopped
- 4 eggs, hardboiled, chopped
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, thyme, and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place tuna, avocado, and hard-boiled eggs into a mixing bowl.
- Add the dressing and mix.
- Season to taste and serve.
