Did you know that avocados are berries? They are categorized as such because they are produced from the matured ovary of a flower, making them first a fruit, and then further classified as a berry due to the fleshy endocarp layer that surrounds the seed. Avocados have also been known by other names, such as alligator pears, custard apples, butter pears, and vegetable pears.
Likely a more commonly known fact about avocados is that they are packed with protein and fiber, in fact, they contain the most of both of any fruit; they’re also a good source of potassium and antioxidants. Avocados have been eaten in Mexico since at least 8000 BC. They were first brought to the United States in 1833 by horticulturist Henry Perrine but wouldn’t become commercially available throughout the U.S. until the 1950s.
I had a great time looking up recipes that call for avocados, and found a surprising variety of uses for them. For instance, in Mauritania they have a dessert called pudim d’avocat, literally avocado pudding. Other countries have stuffed avocado recipes, avocado soups, dressings, salads, and much more. You can find all of these on A-to-Z World Food, one of our online databases; you can also check out our extensive cookbook collections, and our Haughton and Central locations have monthly spice clubs that provide recipes to go along with their spice of the month.
In addition to adding great flavor to any number of dishes, this fruit is used in skin care products, hair conditioners, and even exfoliating scrubs. I’m not sure I’ve ever researched such a versatile fruit. Plus, it’s fairly easy to grow your own avocado tree by simply cleaning off the seed, stick 3 toothpicks in it to support it right-side up partially submerged in a glass of water; place the glass with the seed in a sunny place and in about 6-8 weeks you should see it sprout!
Central Complex, new address: 850 City Hall Drive, Bossier City 71111
Questions? Email us at: [email protected]
Website: https://www.bossierlibrary.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bossierlibrary
New Library Hours:
- Central/History Center
- Monday – Thursday, 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Benton
- Monday – Thursday, 9:00am – 7:00pm
- Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Haughton
- Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Aulds/East 80/Plain Dealing/Tooke
- Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Library Locations:
- Aulds Branch
318.742.2337
- Benton Branch
318.965.2751
- Central Library
318.746.1693
- East 80 Branch
318.949.2665
- Haughton Branch
318.949.0196
- History Center
318.746.7717
- Plain Dealing Branch
318.326.4233
- Tooke Branch
318.987.3915
New & Coming Soon:
- The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change by Debra Hendrickson (Non-Fiction; Book)
- The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier by Kalsey Killam (Non-Fiction; Book, eBook)
- Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young, and Michelle Knowlden (YA Fiction; Book)
- The Davenports by Krystal Marquis (YA Fiction; Book, eBook)
- A Gentleman from Japan: The Untold Story of an Incredible Journey from Asia to Queen Elizabeth’s Court by Thomas Lockley (Non-Fiction; Book, eAudiobook)
- I Have Your Back: How an American Soldier Became an International Hero by Tom Sileo (Non-Fiction; Book)
- Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel Somerstein (Non-Fiction; Book, eBook)
- John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People by Randall Woods (Biography; Book)
- Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller (Biography; Book, eBook, eAudiobook)
- Private Revolutions: Four Women Face China’s New Social Order by Yuan Yang (Non-Fiction; Book)
When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders by Howard Blum (Non-Fiction; Book)