How To Pit an Avocado

Pitting Avocados

Preparing avocados for recipes, such as the Taco Salad, isn’t as intimidating as it might seem. Obviously, the first step is choosing a ripe avocado. It’s a squeezing thing — the fruit should yield to gentle palm pressure, but avoid ones that are too soft.

Next, cut the avocado in half lengthwise, slicing around around the pit. Separate the halves by rotating them in opposite directions.

You can remove the pit one of two ways. The first is to carefully hit the seed with a sharp knife, twist the blade, and lift out the pit. The slightly messier (but safer) second option is to simply dig the pit out with a spoon.

To extract the fruit, run a large table or soup spoon between the flesh and peel. The avocado half should pop right out.