Avocado Salsa (for street tacos and so much more!)

What dad doesn't like delicious tacos? This Father's Day, why not make tacos or other spicy Mexican or Tex-Mex dish you prepare (or buy) a little more special with some avocado salsa? It helps cool down the spicy heat and adds a nice, soothing, creaminess to go along with that crunchy taco goodness! Of course, as avocados come from California, adding avocado salsa to complement those tacos is a great way to “Keep the State On Your Plate.”

Avocado salsa is a quick, simple, easy dish that complements almost any spicy dish. Cool and creamy avocado salsa is a wonderful way to help make spicy flavors more palatable, and is a good counterpoint to the crunch of a taco shell. So, for this Father's Day, add this mouth-watering side that brightens up any meal with its vibrant green color and delightful taste. All of the ingredients for an avocado salsa are grown in California, and is just another wonderful way to “Keep the State On Your Plate.”

Ingredients:

• 4 avocados
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 pineapple
• 1 onion (preferably sweet)
• 1 bunch of cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1 clove of garlic
• black pepper
• crushed red pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl; add each of the ingredients as they’re prepared in order:

1. Peel, scoop out and dice the green insides of the avocados
2. Dice or finely chop the tomatoes
3. Dice or finely chop the onion
4. Peel the pineapple, remove the core and then finely chop the edible fruit
5. Finely chop the cilantro
6. Finely chop the clove of garlic (you can add more or less, depending your taste)
7. Add the juice of one lime (or the equivalent of bottled of lime juice)
8. Add black pepper and crushed red pepper to taste (add a little at a time and taste the salsa)
9. Mix well and place in the refrigerator or on ice to chill.

Serving Suggestions

-Scoop out individual servings (a few heaping tablespoons) of avocado salsa into small ramekins or condiment bowls

-Provide tortilla chips (for scooping) and/or teaspoons to allow diners to spoon the salsa onto their tacos – or whatever other spicy dish you are serving for Father's Day!