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Whether you enjoy dipping chips in zesty guacamole or crunching into the full-fat goodness of avocado toast , one thing is for certain: your avocado better be ripe. Unfortunately, finding this finicky fruit at peak ripeness can be a mission for many home chefs.
Luckily, there are two tricks you can use to transform an unripened avocado into a magical piece of creamy heaven. And best of all, both of them can be done in less than 10 minutes!
The Microwave Method
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If your avocado is not quite ripe but it is also not as hard as that autographed baseball in your memorabilia collection, you can hasten the ripening process in a matter of minutes. Start by cutting the avocado in half vertically and removing the pit. Wrap each half in microwave-safe plastic wrap and pop them in the microwave for two minutes.
Once they have cooled enough for you to hold, run the avocado halves under cold water to stop the cooking process. From there, use your culinary imagination to transform this superfood into a delicious side dish or main star!
The Baking Method
If your avocado is hard like a volcanic rock, you’ll have to turn up the heat a bit to make it ripe. First, turn your oven on to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, wrap your entire avocado in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes. While it may take up to an hour for some avocados to reach peak ripeness, you should make sure to check every five minutes if the 10-minute window doesn’t do the trick.
Cool the avocado down in the refrigerator before digging into to its tasty contents.
The Paper Bag Method
Though it won’t ripen an avocado as quickly, the paper bag method can still get the job done. If you have time to spare and want to soften it up, place your avocado in a paper bag with an apple. Poke a few holes in the bag and let it sit at room temperature for at least a day. When you open the bag, you will finally reap the ripe rewards of your patience.
