🌎🥑 National Avocado Day: Celebrating Global Flavors and Good Health
We’re celebrating National Avocado Day with a collection of recipes shared by our very own diverse and talented staff members! Collecting these recipes, we heard from staff about how they used to eat avocados as kids - spread on bread before avocado toast was a thing - or how one staff member even had an avocado tree in her yard in Venezuela. From classic guacamole to vibrant Venezuelan sauces and refreshing salads, these dishes reflect our staff's personal heritage and preferences. We even got a recommendation from our volunteer diabetes educator, Esnire.
More than just a trendy food, the avocado has become a global staple, packed with flavor and nutrients. They’re rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and important vitamins like B, E, and K. Research suggests that adding avocados to your diet can support heart health, improve digestion, and help with the absorption of other nutrients. That said, Esnire reminded us to include a warning that portion size is important when eating avocado. Try not to go overboard (even though they're hard to resist!)
Whether you try one dish or all five, we hope you enjoy this culinary journey through the kitchens of our team. Happy National Avocado Day!
— The Team at Reach & MKHC
National Avocado Day Recipes
Celebrate National Avocado Day
Odeth’s Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
3 ripe medium avocados
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 small tomato, chopped (optional)
1–2 tsp finely chopped jalapeño (optional)
1/2 tsp salt, or more to taste
Directions
Soak onion in cold water 5 mins, then rinse and drain.
Mash avocado with fork in bowl.
Stir in ingredients, adjust salt/lime to taste.
Dany’s Mexican-Inspired Avocado & Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
2 slices rustic bread (e.g. bolillo or sourdough)
½ ripe avocado, sliced or mashed
2 slices queso fresco or panela
1 medium tomato, sliced
1–2 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
Optional: salt, pepper, cilantro leaves
Instructions
Toast bread if desired.
Spread mustard on bread.
Layer avocado, tomato, cheese, and cilantro.
Close sandwich and slice in half.
Andrea’s Shrimp and Avocado Summer Salad
Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 lb shrimp, cooked or raw
1 pint Mango Salsa
2 avocados, cubed
¼ cup chopped cilantro
3 scallions, chopped
2 tbsp lime juice
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Boil raw shrimp 2–3 mins, then cool.
Toss shrimp with mango salsa, avocado, cilantro, scallions.
Add lime juice and season to taste.
Angel’s Guasacaca (Venezuelan Sauce)
Ingredients
3 ripe avocados
1 medium onion
½ green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
½ cup cilantro (leaves only)
⅓ cup wine vinegar
1 tbsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp hot sauce
1 cup corn oil
Directions
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Esnire’s Avocado‑Jicama‑Cucumber Salad
Ingredients (Serves ~4)
2 cups cucumber (approx. 2 medium cucumbers)
2 cups jicama (about ¼ small jicama)
2 avocados
Fist‑full cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
⅛ tsp sea salt
⅛ tsp smoky paprika
⅛ tsp chili powder
Directions
Peel and julienne or cube cucumber and jicama.
Toss with cilantro, lime juice, salt, paprika, and chili powder.
Chill at least 30 minutes.
Just before serving, gently fold in sliced or cubed avocado; garnish with extra cilantro.
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