Football fever is in the air and soccer parties in front of the telly are soon going to be the order of the day.
Fly the green and gold proudly with some home-grown goodness and serve delicious South African avos as part of your soccer-time snacks.
Football fever is in the air and soccer parties in front of the telly are soon going to be the order of the day.
Fly the green and gold proudly with some home-grown goodness and serve delicious South African avos as part of your soccer-time snacks.
Ditch the high-fat chip ’n dip in exchange for quick, no-fuss avo snacks which are healthy, nutritious and an absolute guilt-free indulgence.
Their versatility in the kitchen also means there are dozens of ways to prepare them, and incorporating other local favourites, such as biltong and peppadews, will allow you to dish up tantalising titbits with true South African flavour.
What better way to kick off the soccer season than with the all-time avocado favourite guacamole. Serve it chunky with crudités for a healthier option, or with golden corn crisps as the definitive reen-and-gold snack.
Other simple avo snacks to try include bruschetta with sliced avo and biltong shavings, and crackers with mozzarella, avo and fresh basil or basil pesto the perfect bitesize treats.
Or try pita triangles with hummus, topped with avo and chopped peppadews for a healthy snack with a little zing.
According to the South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA), avos are a good source of fibre and protein, and are regarded as a nutrient-dense food with relatively few calories.
This is opposed to energy-dense foods, which are loaded with kilojoules and provide little nutritional benefit.
While it’s true that avos are relatively high in fat, they contain mainly mono unsaturated or ‘good’ fat, which has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and help maintain a healthy heart.
International studies have also revealed the role that avos play in inhibiting the growth of certain cancers and assisting in diabetes control, while local research has proved that avos can be included in effective weight loss programmes.
So stock up on nature’s superfruits and get creative with your TV-side treats – you’ll be scoring points with your guests in no time, without a yellow card in sight. For further information and recipes visit www.avocado.co.za
Guacamole goodness
Dating back to ancient Aztec times, guacamole is possibly the easiest, most versatile and delicious avocado snack one can prepare.
Guacamole with a sting
• Mash two avocados to a smooth consistency and add finely chopped garlic, onion and chilli (with the
seeds removed) and add the juice of a lime. Season with salt and pepper and a handful of chopped coriander. Be really daring and add a splash of tequila.
Smooth guacamole
• Mash two avocados and add finely chopped tomatoes, onion and garlic. Mix gently together with low fat cream cheese and salt and pepper.
Guacamole for the locals
• Prepare the basic guacamole – two avocados, chopped onion, garlic, chilli and coriander. South Africanise your guacamole by adding chopped peppadews, mango or grated biltong.
