There are several approaches to removing the round, slippery core from the creamy flesh of an avocado. You can squeeze anything – the pit and everything – into one bowl, but that only works if you need avocado puree. However, if you want pretty wedges or slices for an aesthetic toast, you need to get the thing out without crushing the fruit. You can always hit it with a sharp knife, but the maneuver is not without risk – avocado-related hand injuries from swinging blades are so common that they have their own name (“avocado hand”).
But – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – thanks to TikTok, Joel and I now have a better and safer way of removing the pit from the avocado without hurting our delicate computer hands. (We need them! They are our money makers!)
You should watch the video to get the full visual effect, but it’s a simple move: take the half of the avocado that still has the core in it, place your index and middle fingers on either side of the core, and your thumb the back of the fruit. Gently press your thumb into the back of the avocado, but not through, and marvel at the ease with which the pit pops out. Caution: Be sure to use the tip of your thumb, not the tip. I pushed out my first pit with the tip of my thumb (which has a pretty sharp nail) and then I had a thumb-shaped hole in my avocado. (I ate it anyway.)
Once the pit is removed from your avocado, you can fill in the dent it made with things and stuff. I personally like it Fill my avocado bulbs with soy sauce or sherry vinegar and small pieces of leek, such as thinly sliced shallots or spring onions. (If avocado toast is more your thing, give this a try ‘nduja.)
