“By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest.” — Agesilaus

I love avocados, but avocados are expensive. Typically, they cost $.99 a piece at my neighborhood produce market. They are over a dollar at my grocery store. I never buy them there unless on sale.

AvocadosBecause I enjoy them I can justify the expense, but the bigger challenge is eliminating waste. What do I mean by waste? Well, unless you’re making guacamole or belong to a family that’s greater than two people, it’s unlikely you’ll use up the whole avocado in one serving.

I like avocado slices on sandwiches but at least half of the avocado turns brown before I’m able to consume it. So I went on a Google quest to find the best tip for preserving them and therefore saving a little money in our food budget. Here’s the skinny on storage from Better Homes & Gardens:

  • Keep very firm avocados at room temperature until they soften.
  • To speed ripening, place the avocados in a brown paper bag or next to other fruit.
  • Refrigerate ripe avocados and use them within a few days.
  • Never freeze avocados; freezing them ruins their texture.
  • When you plan to use only half an avocado, save the half that contains the pit. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and
  • refrigerate. These steps slow browning.

The key is to “wrap it tightly” so don’t just place it in a plastic baggie in the refrigerator. This doesn’t work. What turns peeled and sliced avocado brown? According to HGTV, “It’s the presence of air, which allows its enzymes to begin their work of breaking down the exposed flesh.” The baggie only works if it’s of the vacuum seal variety, but if air seeps in, then it will be brown the next day and likely have to be tossed in the trash.

Some sites suggest squirting lemon or lime juice, but this doesn’t really help with an avocado. Your best bet is plastic wrap pressed firmly on its flesh and then refrigerate. Then best to eat it the following day. No need to twist my arm… you can be assured I’ll eat it.

Produce in general is expensive so follow these tips:

1. Shop farmer’s markets and produce stands.
2. Buy fruits and vegetables in season.

Want to know what’s in season? The FoodNetwork.com provides a user-friendly produce guide that’s clickable by season. They write, “While many fruits and vegetables are available year-round, most are at their peak during specific seasons. You’ll find the tastiest nectarines in the summer for example, while fiddlehead ferns are generally sold during the spring. With so much delicious produce to choose from, it’s hard to figure out what to eat when.” Their helpful produce guide lists each season’s best options, so now you’ll know!