Have you ever been served a salad containing perfectly cut slices of avocado? Most of the time you are left wondering how the chef managed to cut the avocado with such precision without messing it up! Cutting avocado into even slices can be hard especially if you are used to mashing it to make guacamole. Surprisingly, it is not as difficult as you may think. A gentle touch and a sharp knife is all you need. Here are some tips on how to cut an avocado.
How to Cut an Avocado
1
Cut the Avocado in Half
Begin by cutting the avocado in half after which you remove the pit. A chef’s knife will work well to penetrate the pit. A thin paring knife might slide off as it is too wobbly. This could be dangerous as you can cut yourself. However, you can still use the paring knife if you find it comfortable.
Make sure to hold the knife correctly. Do this by pinching the blade of the knife at the end attached to the handle between your first finger and thumb. Curl your fingers around the handle to have maximum control of the knife. To add an extra protection, use a dishtowel or hot pad to protect your hands. Then cut your avocado lengthways around its seed.
2
Take Out the Pit
There are a number of
ways to remove the pit and here are three main methods:
-
You can also scoop the pit out with a spoon.
-
You can cut the half that has the pit
lengthwise, cutting around the pit to expose it and making it easier to
remove. -
You can directly take the pit out, which is a bit tricky, but possible. You have to be careful not to cut your
hand. Hold the avocado half with a kitchen towel and tap the pit with
the knife applying enough force to have the knife wedge into the pit. Do
not apply to much force such that the knife cuts through the pit. You
can tap the pit gently with increased pressure each time until you get
it right. Twist the pit out with the edge of the knife and you are done.
3
Remove the Peel
Removing the peel is the last but complicated step in how to cut an avocado successfully. The method depends on how you want your avocado:
If
making guacamole,
-
You can scoop the flesh of the avocado with a spoon.
-
You can also cut it into slices. An easier way to do it is to cut
through the flesh in a cross-hatch pattern taking care not to cut
through the peel. You do not need a sharp knife for this. When you’re
done, scoop the avocado pieces with a spoon. -
There
is no need to worry about the brownish parts. Scoop everything and mash.
If you want avocado slices,
-
Slice the inside of the avocado halves into
sections. Do not worry about cutting the peel. You can then separate
the slices from the peel using your fingers. -
Scoop the
avocado half out as a whole with a spoon and slice it on a chopping board, or even use
it as is. -
With ripe Hass avocados, just cut the avocado into
half or wedges and simply peel it pulling the outer skin off the green
flesh. Cut off any dark portions that could be left on the skin.
The following video gives 4 ways to cut an avocado. Watch and get the details:
