Fresh Avocados at the Cerritos Farmers Market

Avocados are a great summer treat—a great addition to a crisp, fresh salad or a creative ingredient to add in a milkshake.  Though avocados can be found in almost every grocery store, I wanted to check out how the ones at the farmers market might differ from the store-bought ones. I recently stopped by Paula’s Ranch stand at the , where the Martinez sisters wake up every Saturday morning to sell the freshest avocados from their own backyard.

• Why buy their avocados?  Their avocados are grown in their family’s backyard in La Habra Heights.  They don’t use chemicals or fertilizers but instead let the leaves fall and collect under the tree so they compact and stay moist.  Avocados are the only things they sell at their stand!
• What’s available now? During the summer they sell Hass avocados, which have thick skin and a lot of texture (during the wintertime, bacon avocados are available).  Hass avocados are the best types of avocados to make guacamole for all the summer parties! You know they are ripe when they get darker and softer. 
• Tips to ripening an avocado? For them to ripen faster, keep them in a paper bag.  If you put another fruit with it like a banana, it will also help speed up the ripening process.
• Great avocado recipes? Try making a frosty delicious avocado milkshake this summer. Just blend avocados, sugar, milk and ice for a summery treat!
• Beauty tip: Use avocados as a hair mask--it puts the moisture back in your hair.
• Words of wisdom from the Martinez sisters: The money you are spending here you are saving in the long run because you won’t be spending it on healthcare!