Remember when avocado toast was the trendiest thing since sliced bread? What we didn’t tell all those Insta foodies was that the latest craze was just an old favourite – guacamole – all dressed up with somewhere to go. Guac is the ultimate every day, every night, party hard and laze-on-the-couch snack…which is why we’re celebrating World Guacamole Month.

It might have originated as a saucy spread back in Mexico in the 1500s, and graced everything from traditional tacos to trendsetting burritos, but guacamole is nacho average accompaniment. It’s now a firm favourite the world over, and is used as a side, as a meal topper, as a dip, as a sauce, as a filler, even as an entire meal in its own right (hello 1 million+ recipes for avo toast).

That’s the power of guac for you. It’s quick and easy to make, it’s tasty and elevates any meal, and it’s incredibly versatile, adapting to pretty much any cuisine beyond Tex-Mex.

In SA, guacamole is perfect for braais and shisa nyama in the winter sunshine, as a kota topper, as a Gatsby filler, mixed with salsa on the side for bunny chow, or stuffed inside amagwinya with chakalaka. It replaces tartare sauce for your fish, sour cream for your baked potato and mayo in your salad. And the cherry on top is that it’s loadshedding friendly too!

Homegrown avocados are in season right now, with various varieties on shelf. Green-skinned or dark-skinned, you can’t go wrong with deliciously decadent local avos.

So, what are you waiting for? Guac and roll this World Guacamole Month and add an avo or two to your favourite dish in the form of the world’s favourite side, topper, and filler.

Chunky Guacamole

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 0 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 avocados, peeled and stoned
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Chilli flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Dice the avocado, and place in a bowl with chopped tomato and diced red onion. Squeeze over the lemon juice and season to taste.
2. Mix lightly and serve.

Guacamole with a sting: Mash two avocados into a smooth consistency and add finely chopped garlic, onion and chilli (seeds removed) with 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 into a smooth consistency 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 – add chopped piquanté peppers or grated biltong.

For further information and avo recipes, visit www.avocado.co.za.