Monday, September 24, 2012

Minimal Monday: Backyard Avocados with Prosciutto, Red Grapefruit and Lime

A few weeks ago I discovered that we have a huge avocado tree in the backyard.  We've been in this house since May, and you'd think I would have noticed that before.  Our Bichon Teddy's been chomping on mysterious oblong green things for a while now, but it was only after they suddenly got larger, turned black, and went all squishy that a little light went off in my head.  I showed one to my husband but he still refuses to believe it.  I'm going to convince him with this salad.


The problem is that it's a very very large tree, the ripe avocados have a long distance to fall, and when they do they hit a brick patio, and 90% of them crack open, get smashed, or otherwise lose their food appeal.  Oh, and they drop like bombs onto the roof outside our bedroom window at night and scare the bejesus out of us.   So don't be too jealous of my tree.


I looked it up and apparently this is the start of California avocado season.


I arranged slices of ripe avocado, sections of red grapefruit, and wide ribbons of prosciutto on a plate.  The dressing is an extra tangy combination of lime juice and olive oil, and then I dusted the salad with lots of black lava salt.


Have you tried Black Lava Salt?  It gets its color from natural black volcanic charcoal, and it's very striking.  I found mine (where else?) at the farmer's market.



Don't forget to check back tomorrow, Tuesday, to see what's cooking from the Muy Bueno Cookbook Spotlight, and be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of the book!



Happy Monday!

19 comments:

  1. I would love an avocado tree! You are so lucky! I am a huge avocado fan and eat them every day.That salad looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Any time you get sick of that avocado tree!! you can pass it over to me :) About 5 yrs ago we lived in a mission revival 1920s house (complete with original plumbing..fun!) but the backyard had an avo tree, three HUGE orange trees, a meyer lemon tree, every herb and spice known to man...it was amazing. SoCal has it's perks :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so funny! Love the salad and the Teddy photo. Give him a big thanks for finding edibles in the backyard! And what a terrific find! So jealous of the black lava salt - I can't find it anywhere. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, it's definitely the beginning of avocado season! Hooray! Can you maybe suspend a net under your tree, so as to minimize the smashage? This salad looks amazing too, of course! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. refreshing and delicious! Best salad hands down.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh so jealous. I'd love that salad. And that tree.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think I'd learn to climb really tall trees if I had an avocado tree in my backyard. That is totally amazing to me living in an area of the country that doesn't grow avocados! Your salad looks amazing, yum!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, I can't believe you have an avocado tree! I am envious! My mother used to try and grow avocados from the seeds and they never got any further than a tiny little sprout - it was too cold and dark in Alberta for them to get anywhere. Eileen's idea of a net to catch them is a very good one. The salad looks incredibly delicious!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sorry, but I am very envious of your avocado tree. I bag a bag a week and usually have half an avocado a day. In the winter I eat a lot of pink grapefruit with them. Great recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  10. But I am jealous of view. Get a net and hang it under your tree. You are "in the green" for the autumn. An avocado is one of my favorite lunch treats. Loving the salad.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My husband and kids would be in heaven! I'm not the avocado fan that they are, but I would still be excited about the tree. Can you prune it back and make it less of a huge mess-maker? Maybe hang some nets? In the meantime, happy avocado days!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am jealous of your avocado tree, especially with the price of them in Michigan, and this recipe looks delicious! However, as a veterinary student, I have genuine concern about your dog consuming these avocados. Avocado flesh is well known to be toxic to many animals, so I would suggest that you watch him carefully for any signs of intoxication after he eats them. As well, don't let him get ahold of the pit - it is highly indigestible and will cause severe gastrointestinal obstruction (a.k.a. something that causes the need for reeeeally expensive surgery!).

    ReplyDelete
  13. wow I want an avocado tree great salad

    ReplyDelete
  14. Boy does that salad look good. I spent the weekend in Santa Barbara and all I have to say is California is my kind of weather. Just beautiful. That fresh beach air is so wonderful. I love grapefruit and I'll bet that salad was so delicious with that creamy avocado. I love all of the lemon/lime trees everywhere in CA...they were filled with little dancing hummingbirds. Oh....it was heavenly.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have those plates! :) This salad sounds lovely too. I love avocado in just about any kind of salad.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm still a little jealous Sue...I mean every avocado that falls would still be in great shape for a little guacamole! Your salad looks so good and healthy. I've never even heard of black lava salt, very interesting!
    annie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Even though they're dropping on your patio and roof I'm still jealous :) One of the many advantages of living in California! Delightful salad.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The salad looks delicious! I do envy you for having an avocado in your back yard. I would try to catch them on some air mattress to avoid the fruit getting bruised, if possible.

    ReplyDelete

What's on your mind?