Holiday Guacamole

(Note: this post was originally published on December 13, 2020. The date above reflects migration to the new platform.)

Guacamole for Holiday Season??

As you guys know, I absolutely live for guacamole. And given my immense love of all things avocado, I'm a firm believer that guac isn't just for on chips or tacos. While decidedly non-traditional, I love to change up the flavors in guacamole and make it work for all sorts of different seasons, applications, and accompaniments.

My latest love? This holiday guacamole! It's colorful, festive, and has a decidedly fall/winter harvest sort of vibe. I absolutely love the bright colors and the contrast between creamy avocado and fresh fruit. It would be at home on any holiday table.

I want to reinforce the fact that this is by no means a traditional approach to guacamole. If you'd rather not use that name, you can think of it as an avocado mash. My intention here isn't to devalue classic guacamole or the culture that it comes from. Instead, my goal is to celebrate that origin while playing with the flavor profile so that I can eat it all the time!!

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Flavor Change-Up

Being of Italian descent, Christmas time has always meant Italian food, so that's the perspective from which I'm approaching this guacamole. It's not overtly Italian, but a few subtle changes brings the flavor profile from Mexico to Italy. Most importantly, I use lemon juice instead of lime and basil instead of cilantro. I also add in all sorts of festive Italian fruits like pomegranate and figs, and serve it alongside Italian-inspired nibbles instead of tortilla chips. Voila- an avocado mash fit for an Italian Christmas Eve.

Loving the idea of a guacamole change-up? Then you'll also want to check out my Grilled Corn Guacamole and my Tropical Guacamole. Both are very unexpected but fun remakes with unique ingredients and flavors.

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Let's Talk Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Ripe avocados
• Lemon. I like lemon here instead of the traditional lime, but you can use whatever citrus you like. Orange would also be very seasonal.
  
• Sea salt
• Fresh basil. Instead of the traditional cilantro. I just think basil goes so beautifully with these fruits! But this is another thing you can change up.
  
• Pomegranate. There are some good tutorials online for how to clean a pomegranate. This part takes some time, so if you're making this dish for guests, I suggest tackling the pomegranate the day before.
• Fresh figs
• Accompaniments and dipping items of choice. I've shown almonds and rosemary crisps here, since they matched what I was going for. But really anything would be great including pita chips, fresh bread, any veggies you love, or any sort of cracker.

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Closing Thoughts

Avocados are such an incredible, luscious, creamy, delightful ingredient, and they're also so nutrient-dense. I'd happily eat avocado with just about every meal, but we especially love them as an appetizer as shown on this board. This would be such an unexpected appetizer for a holiday gathering, but would work equally as well for a December date-night spread.

What are you celebrating this time of year? Anything? Winter solstice?? Regardless of what meals you're enjoying, I'm quite sure there's a guacamole (or maybe more appropriately an avocado mash?) to match!

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Holiday Spiced Rum Punch

Maple Sea Salt Hummus‍

Apple Cider Harvest Salad

Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash

No-Bake Ginger Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Pie