National Guacamole Day

Whether that bright green, creamy and chunky treat is piled on top of a tortilla chip or used as a garnish for a Mexican entree, guacamole is a delicious way to truly enhance a snack or a meal!

History of National Guacamole Day

While the day itself doesn’t exactly seem to have any particularly poetic origin, National Guacamole Day is a terrific excuse to indulge in the tastiest of dips!

However, guacamole itself seems to have its origins with the Aztec people group at some time before the 16th century. Early guacamole recipes only included mashed avocado and it became very popular due to the excellent health benefits of the avocado. Adding in the tomatoes and onions came later, which was a natural development since those are also native to the Americas. Eventually the lime juice was added, which originated in the Middle East but made its way west with the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

The word, guacamole, originally came from the word “āhuacamolli” which translates literally to mean “avocado sauce”.

Not only is it a great addition to a savoury spread, it’s also good for you! This is because “guac” is made from avocados, which are nutrient dense and packed with healthy fats that help the body lower bad cholesterol, all of which contributes to having a good ol’ time and living as long as possible.

How to Celebrate National Guacamole Day

Celebrating this day is easy and can be filled with fun as well as delicious flavors! Enjoy the day with some of these ideas:

Eat Guacamole

Even if there’s no particular reason, other than it being an awesome day, go ahead and celebrate National Guacamole Day by picking up some at the store! Don’t forget to grab something to put it on, such as a bag of tortilla chips, a selection of veggie sticks (carrots, celery or cucumbers), or a piece of tasty toast. Eat it with french fries, slather it on a quesadilla or use it as a filling or garnish for tacos. The options for eating guacamole are virtually endless!

Learn to Make Guacamole at Home

Freshly made guacamole is the most delicious part of this day! All it takes is buying some ripe avocados and making it from scratch at home. Blend the avocado, season with salt and it’s done!

Of course it might be even tastier to add a bit of flavor to it, such as lemon or lime juice for some zesty citrus notes. Or perhaps some tomato, garlic and onion to expand the palette, the choice is completely personal.

Find Creative Ways to Eat Guacamole

Many people associate guacamole only with corn tortilla chips. But there’s so much more to it than that! For those who are trying to get a bit healthier and forego the chips, or for those who are just looking for a bit of adventure, guacamole has a lot of creative ways it can be used for snacks and meals. In addition to using it as a dip, try out these ideas for guacamole:

• Spread It On a Sandwich. Guacamole makes a great sandwich condiment. Simply pile it on top of a hamburger or chicken burger for a tasty treat. Guac is also tasty when used as a healthy addition to a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Top a Pizza With It. That’s right! A boring pizza can be made delicious with guacamole. Some people like to combine it with Buffalo sauce and chicken as well.
• Stuff Mushrooms with It. Keep it vegetarian by filling hollowed out mushrooms with guacamole and topping with a spicy Buffalo sauce. Yum!
• Make It Into a Salad. Guacamole can make a healthy and delicious base for a salad. Create a Greek fusion by adding feta cheese, or turn it a bit sweet by piling it up with chunks of watermelon or peaches.

Have a National Guacamole Day Party

Invite friends and family over for a little get together with the intention of celebrating National Guacamole Day. Give a nod to guacamole’s origins by decorating and dressing up in costumes that channel Central American culture.

Of course, the table of refreshments will need to center around the guest of honor–guacamole! But it can be filled with all sorts of other south of the border treats as well. Try offering some tostadas, chips & salsa, taquitos or quesadillas. Toss in some churros or flan for a delicious dessert.

Learn Fun Facts About Avocados

Since they are the main ingredient for guacamole, a fun activity for the day would be to learn a bit of trivia to share with friends or coworkers as National Guacamole Day is celebrated. Try these fun facts to share:

• Avocados are a fruit. That’s right, technically guacamole is actually a smashed fruit salad!
• Hass Avocados were banned in the US. In an effort to control pest problems, the beloved Hass Avocado was once banned in the United States. From 1914 to 1997, it was illegal to import these delicious fruits. Everyone is much happier now that they are legal again.
• The World Record for Guacamole was over 3 tons. Created by a wholesaler in Jalisco, Mexico, this batch of guac took more than 800 people to make it. It contained more than 25,000 avocados, 3,500 tomatoes and 3,000 lemons.

Remember–it’s not necessary to only indulge in this tasty treat on National Guacamole Day. After all, it’s good for you all year round, this is just an extra special reason to enjoy it!