Guacamole, with or without Avocados
National Guacamole Day is September 16

Guacamole is one of the many foods bequeathed to us by indigenous peoples of North America. In addition to corn and chili peppers, the ancient people of Mexico were the first to cultivate avocados, beginning probably around 8,000 BC. The Aztecs, whose homeland was colonized by the Spanish, seem to have been the first recorded people to have developed guacamole. The word "guacamole" comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec, and it means something like "sauce."
Guacamole, now so common at Mexican restaurants, started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1980s. In the 70s, I was teaching college, and as part of a Mexican mythology unit, I brought some avocados to class to make guacamole. Several students were totally grossed out by the strange green mush.
Today, guacamole is everywhere…though sometimes, what's called guacamole is made without benefit of avocados.
Walking through the Oak Park Farmers' Market last weekend, I stopped by Stover's, one of the market's mainstay vendors, and bought a jar of asparagus guacamole. I ate it with some tortilla chips, and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Seasoned with garlic and cumin, thickened with pectin, it looked and tasted somewhat like guacamole. Though it lacked the lushness of avocado-based guacamole, it also lacked the calories. A jar of asparagus guacamole is only 70 calories; compare that to an average of 230 calories for one avocado, which may be mixed with sour cream and other caloric condiments on the way to becoming guacamole…or at least, avocado guacamole.
Apparently, the ancient Aztecs never trademarked the word "guacamole," because now there are a number of other sauces called "guacamole" that are prepared without avocado.
There's guacamole made with edamame, the soybeans typically served as an appetizer at sushi joints, and there's guacamole made with broccoli (no thanks) and even green peas. No less a foodie than former President Obama responded poorly to a New York Times story about using peas in guac, tweeting "respect the NYT, but not buying peas in guac."
Part of what people are reacting to with non-avocado guacamole is the fact that a sauce traditionally made with avocado is being made with something else. It's like the jack fruit "pulled pork," which contains no meat, and used to be served at the vegan/vegetarian Munch on Marion Street. I asked Munch owner Robin O'Hara why she named her fruit in barbecue sauce "pulled pork," which it somewhat resembles, and she said because "we want to give customers an idea of what it's going to taste like." That seems a reasonable rationale to me.
Similarly, calling this asparagus sauce "guacamole" does give you an idea of what this pureed vegetable dip is going to taste like. It's not traditional guacamole, but it's kind of like traditional guacamole, and it's better than calling the product "pureed asparagus," which sounds like baby food.
National Guacamole Day is September 16, which neatly coincides with Mexican Independence Day. Celebrate with any kind of guacamole you please. For me, I prefer the kind made with avocado.
Love the Journal?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Wednesday Journal and OakPark.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
No Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Answer Book 2019
To view the full print edition of the Wednesday Journal 2019 Answer Book, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Oak Park and River Forest. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Subscribe | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
I'm told the hearing may have been cancelled, but...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 25th, 2021 11:18 AM
Foolish, myopic, and dangerous. Do the failed policies...
By Bill Stenger
Posted: January 25th, 2021 10:20 AM
More than six weeks after a Dec. 8 meeting of the Oak...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 25th, 2021 9:51 AM
Forgive me It is a word that You can't say And...
By Gregg Kuenster
Posted: January 25th, 2021 12:56 AM
Defund the police? Mediation? Are u paying attention...
By Peter Cross
Posted: January 24th, 2021 9:40 PM
Kevin Peppard I speculate that your facts are clear....
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 24th, 2021 7:58 PM
@Bill Maxwell. As before, people should not speculate...
By Kevin Peppard
Posted: January 24th, 2021 6:56 PM