Homemade Chunky Guacamole Recipe

What is Guacamole Made Of?

Guacamole is a traditional Mexican spread or dip (some would even call it a salad, but I’m calling this nonsense) made from crushed avocado, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and spices. Mexicans traditionally make it in a molcajete, their version of mortar and pestle (that looks incredibly cool and which I will buy one day).

The word “guacamole” itself is a combination of two words: āhuacatl (avocado) and mōlli (sauce). Although I’ve read that guacamole dates back several centuries, some historians claim that the Aztecs were also making something similar to today’s guacamole. They also believed that avocado acts as an aphrodisiac.

Mexico, along with Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia, is one of the largest producers of avocados in the world, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that guacamole, along with tacos, and chili con carne, is one of the symbols of Mexican cuisine.

But its popularity hasn’t remained exclusively within Mexican borders – after the US lifted a ban on the import of avocados from Mexico in the late 1990s, this fruit experienced a real boom of popularity in the United States, making guac a common dish in American cuisine too.

The Problem With Avocado And Sustainability

Like most of the foods that have experienced an expansion in popularity on the world market in the last few decades, increased production of avocados has certain negative effects on the world in which we live.

Growing avocados is very complex and requires a lot of water. A 2012 study ordered by the Mexican government found that increased demand for avocados expanded deforestation, and soil erosion, and significantly affected biodiversity.

Why Am I writing This To You?

Because, as a food blogger, I feel responsible.

I want both of us, you who are reading this, and I who am writing this blog and creating these recipes, to be aware of the impact the food we’re eating has on the world we’re living in. For me, there’s nothing worse than seeing exotic food (because avocado is exotic in my country) that has arrived from other continents rotting in the corner of one of our supermarkets or in our fridge.

I think we should appreciate every fruit, veggie, or fish that we bring home, go shopping according to our needs, and give preference to locally grown food, whenever possible.

When we decide to buy groceries that are being grown in other corners of the world, we must be sure that that doesn’t happen too often and that we will make the most of them.

Best Avocado Variety For Guacamole

There are several varieties of avocado that can be found in my country, and probably even more in other ones, but I prefer Hass avocado for making my guacamole. It’s creamy and somewhat richer in flavor.

How To Eat And Serve Guacamole

There are so many combinations in which this avocado dip can be eaten! I’m writing to you my 5 favorite ways of eating guacamole:

1. With poached or fried eggs, on some piece of crunchy toast. Eggs and avocado are a match, this is something the whole Instagram community knows, right? 🙂
2. Served with storebought or homemade tortilla chips, with some pico de gallo aside too! Yum.
3. As a dip for fresh veggies. Sorry hummus, I have other plans.
4. It can also be used in burgers. I like to serve it with vegan mushroom and red bean patties in brioche burger buns.
5. In a chicken wrap? Why not!

Sources:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-01-fi-24310-story.html

https://www.mesagrapevine.com/post/the-origins-and-history-of-guacamole