The avocado is a unique fruit that can be found in many grocery stores across the country. Also known as the "Alligator Pear" due to the greenish gray color and skin that resembles that of a reptile. Avocados are grown are indigenous to more tropical climates like Central America, Mexico, Florida as well as in California.

Although avocados can be eaten in various salads and even soups, the avocado is most identified as the main ingredient for the popular Mexican dish called guacamole. Guacamole is a blend of avocado, spices and vegetables that can be served as a garnish on top of a burrito or combined with other ingredients to be eaten with tortilla chips.

Guacamole is an essential component when planning for your Cinco De Mayo celebration. Before you learn how to eat an avocado, you must first learn how to pick ripe avocados for your dishes. Picking a good avocado is fairly easy do do:

1. Look for darker color fruits, as they darken, the fruit begins to soften inside 2. Gently squeeze the selected fruits, 3. Identify the avocados that are soft, yet still firm

Essential ingredients:

1. Sour cream 2. Onion 3. Garlic Powder 4. Tomato 5. Chile Peppers 6. Lemon Juice

Guacamole Process:

The avocado has a thin skin covering the soft flesh with a large seed located in the center of the fruit.

1. The first step is to take a knife and slice the avocado down the middle either lengthwise or horizontally. You will feel the hard center where the seed exists. 2. Separate the two halves of the fruit and remove the seed 3. Using a large spoon, scoop out the soft flesh into a large mixing bowl 4. Dice onions, tomatoes and chile peppers and add to the avocado mixture 5. Add sour cream and garlic powder. 6. Mix all ingredients until well mixed. 7. Since the avocado oxidizes, (turns brown like an apple) add about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix well. The lemon juice slows down the oxidation 8. Serve chilled

Optional Ingredients:

1. Light Sour cream 2. Salsa 3. Minced Garlic 4. Cumin

Guacamole is one answer to the question "How to eat avocado" but this fruit is very versatile in that you can eat it in salads, sandwiches and other dishes to add a tropical flair to your meal. Vegans also love the avocado as it provides a great source of protein and vegetable fats.