From My Grand Bahama Garden: RED Avocados!
Now here’s something you don’t see every day. In fact, after living here on Grand Bahama Island for over 20 years, I’d never seen one until a couple days ago. Looks more like an apple or a big plum, doesn’t it?! But look inside at the familiar creamy green …
Yes, it’s an avocado! (And a perfectly ripe and tasty one too.) A quick Google search shows it’s a Florida variety of avocado that turns red when it ripens. These beauties came from a tree in an out of the way area behind the guest cottage garden. This is what they look like growing way up on the tree …
(and yes, I drew the little arrow and circle on the photo so it’s easier to find the avocado, but other than that, all these photos of the avocados are straight out of the iPhone camera, no-retouching at t’all!)
I had no idea avocados could be red. But Miss Lue knew. Miss Lue is an amazing woman who hails from Jamaica originally and is the reason we have clean clothes around here every week. And clean everything, despite my creative clutter. We are truly blessed to have Miss Lue in our lives. In addition to her generous and helpful heart, she also has a green thumb and knows about all sorts of edible island garden treasures. I only knew we were already graced to have two different varieties of green avocados in our garden, but to find a new kind — a RED avocado (I just have to keep saying that because I’m so in awe of it) — feels like winning some sort of tropical arbor triple crown!
I’m so pleased to be at the stage of life where horticultural discoveries in my own back yard are my idea of Headline News. Worthy of a special report. All these amazing trees and plants, and I’m finally getting acquainted with them on a deeper level and asking their names and stories. Pleased to meet you, Red Florida Avocado.
red-when-they're-ripe avocados
so yummy
And thank you again, Miss Lue, for the introduction!
Miss Lue: Household Heroine, Wise Island Gardener & Patient Teacher of Natural Grace
Tags: avocado, avocado tree, avocados, edible island treasures, Florida avocado, Garden, gardens, Google, Grand Bahama, Grand Bahama garden, Grand Bahama Island, green avocados, horticulture, island garden, red avocado, red avocados, ripe avocado, ripe red avocado, tropical arbor, tropical horticulture
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
Paula's Paradise 
January 12, 2011 at 7:54 am
I met Ms.Lue, loved her sunny smile when visiting you. Say hello and thank you for the introduction of the red avocado.There are every day suprises. Can’t wait to taste when back to FP given there will be still some left.
January 12, 2011 at 8:23 am
Thanks, Christine! You’ll have to hurry if you want to taste one … I see a couple left waaaay up on the tree, but so glad to know you’ll be back soon! xx
January 13, 2011 at 10:40 am
“I’m so pleased to be at the stage of life where horticultural discoveries in my own back yard are my idea of Headline News. Worthy of a special report.”
love this!!!
did you make something delicious with the avocados? sometimes i can’t hold back and just eat them plain…
January 13, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Thanks for your wonderful note! I just sliced and salted and peppered these … sometimes with a touch of lemon, but these were just so delicious as is! xx
February 5, 2011 at 11:50 am
Thanks for clarifying that the arrow and circle were not a natural part of the landscape. As if a red avacado were not enough!
I could send my latest camera-phone shot of 2 feet of snow on my car, but that would just be depressing.
February 5, 2011 at 12:17 pm
The Ministry of Tourism here actually encourages photos like that. You are invited to guest post photos or whatnot here anytime. (You have one of the funniest blogs ever and all 3 of my faithful readers will be thrilled to find it: http://pegoleg.wordpress.com/).
In hopes that I am not in range of getting hit by a snowball, here is a local advisory that has just been issued by some brilliant unknown writer (not me, I pirated this treasure):
WEATHER ALERT: The Bahamas could be sunned-in for the next several days. Residents have been urged to hunker down at your nearest beach and/or tiki bar for further instructions. Use extreme caution when braving this blizzard of sunshine, preferably SPF30. We are asking our friends and relatives to the north to please keep us in their thoughts as we deal with 2 feet buried in the sand.
You can remind all us paradise prattlers how glorious your summer is when we’re swimming in humidity soup here in August! Please make a snow angel for me.
May 9, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Paula, you are just an amazing writer and I love the photos. What a great name for Miss Lue. – Household Heroine, Wise Island Gardener & Patient Teacher of Natural Grace. I must admit I have never tasted a red avocado. I would love to try one..
May 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Marina – thanks so much for your wonderful note! I will save you a red avocado next time they’re in season … they taste just like the green ones … delicious! xx
August 16, 2011 at 1:24 am
Paula, this is such a nummy blog all round.. food, inspiration, art… mmmm!
September 3, 2018 at 11:43 am
Years ago one avocado tree grow in my house yard in Boca Raton Florida, last year start to give fruits, are green in the tree, when start to be ripe turn red the skin, inside are identically to the green ones, are different, more special