For me Los Angeles has a new name. It’s Los Aguacates.
Before travelling to America I had my concerns regarding food. United States are assosiated with junk food, artificial fatty products and love to fast food consumption. That’s why it was one of the most surprising finding about California – food is delicious there and whole state is a paradise for healthy food lovers. If I had to choose a symbol of it, it would definietly be avocado.
Avocados are grown in several Californian regions, from Los Angeles to the south, including San Diego, Ventura and Santa Barbara area, making California the largest U.S. avocado grower! But the leading avocado supplier to the U.S. market is of course Mexico.
Mexico, or more precisely – mexican, are one of the source of popularization avocado in California. Not only because they create consumption, but because they cook in Californian pubs, bars and restaurants!
In 2016, the most current year of data, 27% of California’s population was foreign born. It means that this state is home to more than 10 million immigrants. The vast majority of California’s immigrants were born in Latin America and the leading country of origin is Mexico (4.2 million immingrants).
Mexican women mostly work as housekeepers and nannies while men work in gastronomy. California is steeped in Mexican cuisine!
Meanwhile, the avocado’s popularity is growing in whole America and worldwide too. Avocado-toast-eating millennials demand it at coffee shops and restaurants across the whole state. American Starbucks, for instance, last year announced that its organic avocado spread would be available at its stores nationwide.
In Los Angeles best tacos, guacamole, burritos, avocado toast, tequila and margaritas are available on (almost 😉) every corner.
Smell of coriander and lime kills the stink of dirty streets and enclaves for the homeless. It became a part of the local landscape. You cannot travel to Los Angeles and miss to try at least one dish with avocado! Feel free to use my list of places (alphabetical order), where I tried great avocado-based dishes in California, mostly in LA, Venice:
1. Café Gratitude, Venice, LA 🥑🥑🥑🥑
- Bowl with avocado and others
- Guacamole with nachos
2. Clutch, Venice, LA 🥑🥑🥑
- Vegetarian tacos with avocado and others
- Guacamole with nachos
3. Frida Mexican Cuisine, Beverly Hills, LA 🥑🥑🥑
- Guacamole with nachos
4. Gjusta, Venice, LA 🥑🥑🥑🥑
- Fresh sliced avocado with pepper and sea salt
5. South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar, San Clemente 🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑
- Guacamole with nachos
6. The Butcher’s Daughter, Venice, LA 🥑🥑🥑🥑
- Avocado-toast
- Vegetarian tacos with avocado and others
3x🥑 amazing
4x🥑 amazing and outstanding
5x🥑 amazing and outstanding, incredible, out of this world
Remember, if you want to try fresh avocados in LA, take into account the season.
The California avocado-selling season typically runs from about March and April until September, although supplies can last until October or November. After that, avocados sold in California comes only from abroad.
And you know what? Bringing home culinary inspirations it’s one of the best thing you can take from your travels. Find below very easy recipe to make guacamole in a way they do it in Beverly Hills! You need:
- 2 fresh and soft avocados,
- 1 small red onion,
- 1 tomato,
- coleander,
- fresh squeezed lime juice,
- salt and peper.
Chop everything and follow the guy from the video below. Que aproveche!
INFO CORNER:
Time: April 2018
Type: Food, Breakfast, Restaurant
My Slow Travels - inspirations, examples, advices 