Refried Beans with Avocado Leaf

judsoncarroll4

This is the way I make them, to suit my taste.

Boil beans until soft - usually either pinto or black beans

Drain off the water, add a tablespoon or more of lard along with a half teaspoon or so of finely crushed dried avocado leaf, stems removed, a tablespoon of cumin, finely chopped onion and crushed garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Mash the beans and stir over low heat until done.

I usually add a little chopped pepper and cilantro to black beans - the green flavors work well with the black beans.

jowitt.europe

@judsoncarroll4 I have never used avocado leaves. Do you use them as spices? What are they like? I have a few tiny avocado trees. I am sure they will never produce fruit, but they do produce leaves which I could collect, dry and use.

Michelle D

@judsoncarroll4 what does the avocado leaf add nutritionally? That sounds quite yummy. I often make refried beans. I will have to try it the way you shared if I can find the avocado leaves.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/914054#Comment_914054

Avocado is in the same family as bay laurel. The leaf is much more mild than bay and has a slight anise-like flavor. I have only used them in refried beans so far.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/914056#Comment_914056

Here is an article I found about medicinal use

https://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/avocado/

Megan Venturella

Using avocado leaves in food blew my mind. But after reading the other comments, I guess I wasn’t the only one. I was sure it was a typo or a joke!

LaurieLovesLearning

@Megan Venturella I first found out through its use as tea so then the rest didn't surprise me. It made me quite happy.

I'd encourage everyone who has a bright, south facing window to grow one. You might not get fruit if it never goes outside, but you have a tree that will give both tea & a food ingredient.

Next time I buy avocados, I'll have to keep the seed to try to press it. I forgot about avocado oil. Hmm.

gardneto76

Avacados grow all around the area I live in. I have never heard of anyone using the leaves. I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for some of those trees. My tree is currently about 6 inches tall and not enjoying this hot weather we suddenly got. I think it needs more shade. Should it survive the summer I will be sure to use some of the leaves

LaurieLovesLearning

@gardneto76 At that stage, it needs shade. 😀

Cornelius

A tip I learned to start avocados from seed is to peel of the outer layer of skin (it is the brown coating). Then wrap in a damp paper towel and store in a plastic sandwich bag until it starts to sprout.

VermontCathy

Avocado leaves as bay leaf substitute is an interesting idea. I cannot grow avocado trees large enough to set fruit here in Zone 4, but I have grown avocados from pits as small houseplants that readily produce leaves.

VermontCathy

I use Vermont Cranberry beans for my refried beans. This bean variety was bred to be used as shellies, not green beans or dry beans.

Let large beans form inside the pods, but don't wait to dry them down. Harvest, remove and compost pods, and freeze the plump beans. When ready to use, thaw, pressure cook or cook on stove pot, then mash into the oil in a skillet.

They form an excellent fried bean texture, and blended with chorizo, are delicious.

kbmbillups1

Interesting. Like everyone else I'd never even thought of cooking with avocado leaves. I go to a farmer's market that has an entire wall of spices. I'm going to have to look next time so see if they sell them. I have a couple avocado trees that I started by putting the seeds in pots of dirt and watering until they sprouted but they only have 5 leaves so far. Probably not a good idea to pick on yet.

marjstratton

Wow, agree that mind is blown. I had no idea that they were related to bay laurel. Just cut up a bunch of avocadoes to put in the freezer. If I had read this first, I would have saved the seeds and started sprouting them!

nicksamanda11

Wow! I've got to tell everyone I know whether they care or not!

annbeck62

Love when I learn new things on this forum. I also never knew that avocado leaves were edible. I'm currently trying to sprout a couple pits. If I'm successful I'll definitely be experimenting with the leaves :)