Use a fork or potato masher to blend well. Avocados are ready to eat when they have a little give to them. Cut around the avocado and twist out the pit. Slice, then remove the peel. Dip the slices in lime or lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
Avocados have a delicate taste that picks up flavors from whatever they're served with.
They work especially well cut and mixed into salads, mashed and combined with soup mixes to make unique dips and spreads, and, of course, mashed and made into the favorite party dip, guacamole.