It's not 4th of July without a backyard picnic or barbeque. Use our guide below to help with your party planning and bring together food, family, friends and fun for the perfect Independence Day celebration.
Use a chilled, hollowed out mini-watermelon as a serving bowl for your favorite California Avocado guacamole. It will look festive for your party and help keep the guacamole cool. Plus it's environmentally friendly and makes clean-up super easy.
The weather is warming up! Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block harmful UVA and UVB rays. Plus add a few slices of California Avocado to your burger. An ounce of avocado contains 81 micrograms of lutein. Lutein is a natural antioxidant concentrated in the macula of the eye. Research suggests lutein may help maintain healthy eyesight as we age.
Avocados also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
Surprise your friends and family with a unique appetizer–grilled California Avocados! It's easy and tastes great. Starting with a firm ripe avocado, cut the avocado in half and remove the seed. Drizzle with fresh lime or lemon juice and brush lightly with olive oil. Gently place cut side down on grill over hot coals for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt to taste and fill the center with fresh salsa. Then serve and watch them disappear!
Don't get stuck battling the bugs! Leave sugary foods like ice cream, cakes and puddings inside until ready to serve.
Offer your 4th of July party-goers healthful alternatives. Consider using California Avocados as a spread instead of mayonnaise. Fresh avocado on burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and toast or substituted as a spread in place of many other popular foods may help reduce dietary intake of calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol.
Ditch the usual ice chest and opt for one on wheels. Grab a wheelbarrow from the garage, clean it out and fill it with ice. It's a farm-festive way to present beverages to your thirsty attendees.
After all the savory fare, end the meal on a sweeter note with a delicious dessert. Health-conscious bakers can substitute avocado for many traditional baking ingredients, including butter and shortening, by simply replacing these ingredients with an equal amount of avocado. By substituting avocado, the nutritional value of the baked good is increased with the fruit's contribution of nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, along with "good fats" (poly and monounsaturated fats). Try some of our most popular sweet treats like American Dream Cupcakes, California Avocado Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins and Avocanana Bread. Not interested in baking? Try our Avocado, Pineapple and Citrus Sherbet. This cool treat is the perfect finish to any backyard barbeque meal.
Make sure you provide your guests with a variety of sunscreen strengths, as many of them will probably arrive without having put any on.
Let your guests take a turn playing chef. Provide them with Fresh California Avocados and several pre-cut ingredients for a Build-Your-Own-Guac Bar. But just because you're the host doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun! Make a special batch that's just for you. Sprinkle some lemon juice on top to avoid discoloration and save it for the day after the party. If you're looking for some Build-Your-Own-Guac inspiration, check out our Home Team Guacamole—a summertime favorite.
Celebrate American Summer Holidays with California Avocados. Download our recipe booklet!
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California Avocados are hand grown in the USA and the perfect way to celebrate America's independence. Plus avocados are naturally sodium and cholesterol free and can be part of a healthful diet. Treat your friends and family—insist on California Avocados.
California Avocados are all-American-just like the folks who grow them. With nearly 5,000 American family farmers across the state, our growers take pride in producing only the best for America's families.
© 2012, California Avocado Commission
