Last month, I was north of LA, skipping through an avocado grove. It was like guacamole heaven up there. There is no better way to feel "close" to your food than to actually step foot on the soil that it grows from. And see the trees, bushes and vines where it is plucked. Whether that be by creating your own magical fruit and veggie garden in your yard, visiting local farms in your area or touring farms and factories, just like I did on this tour. Check out my "Farm to Guac" video + photos and get my easy guacamole recipe too!..
How do you get to this? Let's find out...
The video version..
California. Avocados. Let's go.
I rolled into Westlake on a sunny Friday afternoon... (you do this in your hotel room too, right?)
Bring me to your avocados.
First stop, Brokaw Nursery where avocados get their start on life as tiny trees..
from seed...
To tree..
Amazing woman, who obviously eats loads of avocados because she has gorgeous skin! Avocado glow.
Trish enjoying the moody weather and forever rows of baby avocado trees.
Caroline stepping glamorously through this special "farm food safety" powder. I think it was lime? Even trucks roll their wheels through it.
Doing my best "The Price is Right" spokesmodel impression .. "and you win a baby avocado tree grove!"
Baby avocado tree army
transfer to a larger pot..
Onto Rodoro Ranch with farmer, Randy Axell - LOVE him!
A man and his grove. What a cool life!
Lovely lunch in the ranch barn!
Thirsty work. Drank sooo much of this
Chef Pink, she was on Cut Throat Kitchen a few times!
Ladies who lunch. In adorable shabby chic barns. After picking bags of avocados.
Avocado toasts with almonds
Parting gifts, obviously... with the lovely Kim
And finally at home!...
Moral of the story... find out where your food comes from. Because farmers are some of the coolest people around.
Basic California Guacamole
By kathy PatalskyPublished 05/05/2015
Creamy, chunky amazing California avocado guacamole with onion, lemon and garlic and a hint of chipotle.
Ingredients
- 2 avocados, diced for ease of mashing
- 1-2 lemons, squeezed
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- pinch of cilantro on top
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mash together: avocado, lemon juice, half the onion, salt, pepper, chipotle, garlic.
- Fold in the other half onion.
- Pour into a serving bowl and top with cilantro.
Yield: serves 4Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins. Total time: 5 mins. Tags: avocado,appetizer,dip,california,snack,side,guacamole,
disclaimer: sponsored trip. This weekend trip was courtesy of the California Avocado Commission, but I was not paid to attend or obligated to write this post. All opinions are my own.
Ed Son says
Hi Kathy!!! Congrat for the post. It is really amazing.
I'd like permission to use a photo of this post in a book that i'm writing about avocado.
How do I do?
Thanks!
Kathy Patalsky says
Hi Ed, you can email me for details on licensing a photo for print. Kathy at lunchboxbunch dot com
RockMyVeganSocks says
What a fun tour! Avocado is hands down one of my fav foods ever =)
http://chs.uonbi.ac.ke/ says
nice
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship says
Possibly the best recipe for guacamole ever comes straight from the place avocado's were grown!
Julia Ralston says
Kathy, I love this post . You are so right, we need to know where our food comes from, sustainability is so important and sadly, so many people just don't realize this. Looks like you had so much fun, great post.
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you Julia! Yes I absolutely love visiting farms. I am so appreciative to the farmers who invite bloggers on these trips. And Randy, the avocado farmer, was seriously one of the sweetest guys ever. I love seeing that passion for growing high quality produce! It really does change the way I shop!
Heather McClees says
You're the cutest ever!:) Fun trip that must have been! PS- Made your morning tea today minus the maple (I'm sugar-free), and WOW! I feel so good ... I've made lemon and ginger tea before and love the Skin Detox tea, but the other types of tea and the gojis really made it awesome. Great guac recipe too Kathy!<3 Lots of Love:):)
Kathy Patalsky says
Awesome! Glad you liked the tea! I seriously cannot start my day without that pause for my "tea time" 🙂
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
What a fun trip, Kathy! Now I'm craving a big ol' bowl of guacamole!
Kathy Patalsky says
haha, yes, but when are we NOT craving a big bowl of guac??? 🙂
Dora Daily says
So jealous! I would love to visit an avocado farm. I would probably never leave, just set up a tent next to those beautiful avocado trees!
Kathy Patalsky says
There are actually loads of avocado farms in Southern California, so if you are ever in the area... 🙂 I remember the first time I spotted an avocado ON A TREE, or a pomegranate ON A TREE. It felt a little like Christmas morning for a foodie. true! 🙂
Earlie Cat says
Looks like so much fun!! I love avocados. Someone at work has a couple of trees and always brings them in during season. They are so much better than store bought ones. Totally unrelated question, you always have the cutest clothes!!! Love you outfit in the top picture with the sequin top and espadrilles. Where do you find such cute vegan friendly clothes?
Kathy Patalsky says
The top is from Jcrew, found on the seasonal sale rack. I would say that 80% of my wardrobe is vegan. Some of my old shoes and bags and more that have tiny bits of leather on them have stuck around. I will wear them until they die on me. I love shopping at Moo Shoes, online, and most mainstream stores like JCrew, Anthro and more. Clothes shopping today feels a lot like "vegan grocery shopping" did for me ten years ago. You still have to read labels and get a feel for what brands are vegan friendly. I will admit, it is not an easy process, I really hope vegan fashion gets even easier over the next few years!!
Earlie Cat says
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for your insight!! It's much appreciated. Love your blog!
- Lena
VegInspired.com says
Amazing! What a fun trip!! Avocados are a staple in our kitchen! Loved reading this!
Kathy Patalsky says
So glad you liked it!
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
What a great visit, thanks for sharing! So many adorable avocado pics!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank YOU for reading Christine! It was fun!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you Emma! I must say I am a hard core California avocado advocate now! Local produce is not only inspiring and full of heart, but tastes freshest too! These avocados I am still eating are insanely perfect. I want my own grove!!! 🙂
Marissa says
An avocado nursery sounds like just about the cutest thing ever!
Kathy Patalsky says
haha yes it WAS. All those little avocado trees ready to head out into the world 🙂