avocado memories

when i was growing up, we had huge avocado trees in our backyard. in season, we'd hear them at night, dropping thump-thump onto our roof. and after school i'd invite my neighbors marky f. and jen to avocado fights, where we'd sling rotten pieces at each other (and occasionally, when we're feeling mean, some hard, young ones as well).

and of course we ate a lot of them. i still love avocados, ground into guacamole or sliced and dipped into soy sauce like sashimi. they're the flavor of my childhood but i'm also happy to eat them in new ways...

such as this avocado ice cream with a mango and tapioca pudding at the slanted door in san francisco...

and this salad of cantaloupe, avocado, cucumber and watercress with a drizzle of vinegar, sea sea salt and olive oil. such simplicity, and genius, at chez panisse.