Tuesday, January 5, 2010

How to Safely Cut an Avocado, or Can an Avocado really be a Danger in the Kitchen?


Today while I was at my quilt group one of our members told us about a horrific adventure in the emergency room at
Park City, Utah. Her daughter had been making guacamole and had used a conventional method to remove the pit of an avocado, when the very sharp knife went through the avocado and unfortunately right on through her daughter's hand. Upon reaching the emergency room they were told that her daughter was the third case that day of avocado stabbing incidents. This is not unusual, do you find this unusual? I did. While they were there a fourth case came through the door!

After thirty minutes of searching online for a method of cutting an avocado, I found one way- and it comes with a risk, the kind that can give you nerve damage to your hand. I did find a video put out by Real Simple that I feel is worth looking at. The difference they suggest is simple. You place the avocado on a cutting board rather than in your hand . . . doesn't seem like rocket science, but starting today I'll be using the cutting board to separate the pit. If you want to watch the video, go here. Watch the video- don't just look at the pictures or you'll be fooled. You may also want to check this article out for other dangers in the kitchen, and how to avoid them. We all want a safe year in the kitchen.

Crazy what you'll learn at quilt group.


13 comments:

  1. I hadn't ever really considered the dangers of removing the pit of an Avocado before. It wouldn't take too much more time to just place it on the cutting board and save yourself the possible trip to the ER.

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  2. I had no idea! I hope I remember to use the cutting board.

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  3. Four cases in one day? That's crazy! That almost warrants a public safety announcement or something

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  4. I can't believe there are that many avocado injuries! Who knew?! Thanks for the safety tip.

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  5. oh wow very interesting thanks for sharing we often forget about kitchen safety

    happy new year oh and your pancakes look amazing lol

    Rebecca

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  7. I noticed a typo after I posted - didn't realize a record of it lasted on the site!

    Anyhoo, I never gave avocado pitting any thought, but I am definitely converting. My bil nearly lost his hand while doing the dishes (long story).

    PS - Thanks so much for visiting Almost Slowfood. I'm loving The Table Runner!!!

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  8. Great tip:) Avocados were on sale so I bought a bunch, I better use your advice tonight:)

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  9. You never can be too safe when working in the kitchen. I sure hope my little girl is watching closely since she is so fascinated with chopping! Great post, once again.

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  10. Wow! that is crazy! I hope she's ok! It's amazing the kids of unexpected accidents you can have in the kitchen. Two years ago, D had to get stitches after deeply cutting his hand on the plastic wrap box!

    I'll be more careful now when cutting avocados. thanks!

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  11. Oof that sounds rough. I've come close to cutting myself while dealing with a mango but never an avocado. Fruits can be dangerous things...

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  12. That is crazy - so many injured in one day. You'd think it was Cinco De Mayo!

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  13. My worst injuries have been with a tin of corned beef and with bagels..
    The corned beef one got me stitches and a man. Called up the fella I had a date with earlier to take me to the hospital. Eventually married him.

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