All Things Fruit and Veg: In the spotlight

Native to central and South America, avocados are also known as "alligator pears", no doubt based on the appearance of their skin and shape.

Unusually for fruit and veg, avocados are relatively high in fat, with one small avocado containing approximately 18g fat, though two-thirds of this fat is heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat.

Avocados are thought to be good for the skin and a mashed avocado can be applied as a face mask.

The flesh will soon brown once peeled, but adding lemon or lime juice will help prevent this happening. Avocados are usually served raw, as cooking tends to spoil them.

So apart from guacamole and serving in a salad, what else can you do with avocados?

In some parts of the world avocados are incorporated into smoothies with other fruits and are also used an ingredient to milk-based desserts.
Spread mashed avocado on toast as an alternative to peanut butter.
Chunks of avocado can be used as part of a sandwich filling, but as they contain little protein, for balance you're best to team them with another source such as pulses or cheese.
For a baked potato filling, combine half a mashed avocado with a small handful of grated cheese and a little natural yoghurt. Add cumin, chilli powder and black pepper to taste.
Try stuffing the hollow of halved avocados - spiced bean salad, mashed hard boiled eggs with tomatoes or cottage cheese with chives are all possibilities.

Blend the flesh from 2 avocados and 2 peeled, chopped bananas with 125ml milk and 3tbsp cocoa powder
Leave to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving

Chop the following finely - the flesh from an avocado, a tomato, half a red onion and half a chilli
Add 3tbsp lime juice and mix the ingredients well
Chill for at least 30mins and garnish with coriander leaves

All Things Fruit and Veg