Guacamole

Guacamole(Spanish:[ɡwakaˈmole]; informally shortened toguacin the United Statessince the 1980s)is anavocado-baseddip, spread, orsaladfirst developed in Mexico.In addition to its use in modernMexican cuisine, it has become part of international cuisine as a dip,condiment, and salad ingredient.
The name comes fromClassical Nahuatlāhuacamōlli[aːwakaˈmoːlːi], which literally translates to 'avocado sauce', fromāhuacatl[aːˈwakat͡ɬ]'avocado' +mōlli[ˈmoːlːi]'sauce' or 'mole'.InMexican Spanish, it is pronounced[wakaˈmole].In American English, it tends to be pronounced/ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊliː/.British English also uses this pronunciation, but/ˌɡwɑːkəˈmoʊleɪ/is more common.
Avocado seeds were first found in the Tehuacan Valley ofMexicoaround 9,000–10,000 years ago (7000–8000 BCE) and had been domesticated by various Mesoamerican groups by 5000 BCE.They were likely cultivated in the Supe Valley in Peru as early as 3100 BCE.In the early 1900s, avocados frequently went by the namealligator pear.In the 1697 book,A New Voyage Round the World, the first known description of a guacamole recipe (though not known by that name) was by English privateer and naturalistWilliam Dampier, who in his visit to Central America during one of his circumnavigations, noted a native preparation made of grinding together avocados, sugar, and lime juice.
Guacamole has increased avocado sales in the U.S., especially onSuper Bowl SundayandCinco de Mayo.The rising consumption of guacamole is most likely due to the U.S. government lifting a ban on avocado imports in the 1990s and the growth of the U.S. Latino population.
Guacamole is traditionally made by mashing peeled, ripeavocadosandsaltwith amolcajete y tejolote(mortar and pestle).Recipes often call forlime juice,cilantro,onions, andjalapeños. Some non-traditional recipes may call forsour cream,tomatoes,basil, orpeas.
Due to the presence ofpolyphenol oxidasein the cells of avocado, exposure to oxygen in the air causes anenzymatic reactionand developsmelanoidinpigment, turning the sauce brown.This result is generally considered unappetizing, and there are several methods (some anecdotal) that are used to counter this effect, such as storing the guacamole in an air-tight container or wrapping tightly in plastic to limit the surface area exposed to the air.
As the major ingredient of guacamole is raw avocado, the nutritional value of the dish derives from avocado vitamins, minerals and fats, providingdietary fibre, severalB vitamins,vitamin K,vitamin Eandpotassiumin significant content (seeDaily Valuepercentages in nutrient table for avocado). Avocados are a source ofsaturated fat,monounsaturated fatandphytosterols, such asbeta-sitosterol.They also containcarotenoids, such asbeta-carotene,zeaxanthinandlutein.
Mantequilla de pobre(Spanishfor 'poor-man's butter') is a mixture of avocado, tomato, oil, and citrus juice.Despite its name, it predates the arrival ofdairy cattlein the Americas, and thus was not originally made as a butter substitute.
Thinner and more acidic,or thick and chunky,guasacacais aVenezuelanavocado-based sauce; it is made with vinegar,and is served overparrillas(grilled food),arepas,empanadas, and various other dishes. It is common to make theguasacacawith a little hot sauce instead ofjalapeño, but like a guacamole, it is not usually served as a hot sauce itself. It is pronounced "wasakaka" in Latin America.
Substitute ingredients are sometimes used in place of avocados to produce a thick green sauce calledguacamole falso(fake guacamole). Common substitutes includesummer squash,green tomatoesand oil-fried jalapeños.
Prepared guacamoles are available in stores, often available refrigerated, frozen or inhigh pressure packagingwhichpasteurizesand extends shelf life if products are maintained at 1 to 4 °C (34 to 40 °F).
National Guacamole Day is celebrated on the same day asMexican Independence Day, September 16.
On November 20, 2022, Municipo de Peribán, Mexico achieved theGuinness World Recordsfor the largest serving of guacamole. The serving weighed 4,972 kg (10,961 lb) and had 500 people help prepare it.