275702 Fri Dec 31 15:18:53 -0800 2004 9 31 Home Cooking 0 1452742 I read somewhere--probably here--that one could hasten the ripening of an avocado by microwaving it BRIEFLY. Is this true? Or is the best way still the old apple-in-the-paper-bag trick? Fri Dec 31 15:18:53 -0800 2004 0 Tom Steele 1 1452743 never heard the micro trick but I have had the best luck summerging the 'cado in a paper bag w/ flour. It ripens in less than 24 hours. Fri Dec 31 15:25:15 -0800 2004 1452742 0 foodiex2 2 1452745 I heard putting it in a tin with a tight cover and flour would do the trick but have not tried it. I guess a zip-lock type bag would work too. I tried the microwave thing a long time ago and all I ended up with was a hot, under-ripe avacado. Fri Dec 31 15:38:58 -0800 2004 1452743 0 Candy 2 1452755 Yes, putting it in flour really works. I think I read it in something Diana Kennedy wrote, so I shouldn't be surprised, even though it sounds weird. Fri Dec 31 16:47:14 -0800 2004 1452743 0 ruth arcone 2 1452761 Simply putting it in a paper bag for a day or two (or longer as needed) will hasten the ripening. Fri Dec 31 20:57:12 -0800 2004 1452743 0 Dorothy 3 1452765 "(or longer as needed)" Yeah. A friend gives me avacados from his tree a couple of times a year. They're hard as rocks and I have to keep them in a paper for about two and a half weeks. Worth the wait though. Very dense and creamy. Fri Dec 31 21:54:49 -0800 2004 1452761 0 2chez mike 4 1452813 It's all about the variety. Hass are the good ones -- the ones with the dark, pebbly skin and rich, creamy flesh. The Fuertes, with their smoother, green skin have, to my taste, watery, bland flesh. Sun Jan 02 01:55:19 -0800 2005 1452765 0 Dorothy 3 1452795 Put the paper bag in a dark place and that will really hasten the ripening. Sat Jan 01 14:54:34 -0800 2005 1452761 0 Zoe 1 1452766 I always add fruit to ripen in a paper bag with a banana or two, this speeds ripening. Fri Dec 31 21:56:19 -0800 2004 1452742 0 marycarol 2 1452770 Best method - in a paper bag w/fruit. Bananas and kiwis are best. Trapping the avocado with the riping gas of the fruits will speed up the avocado's own ripening. Sat Jan 01 01:11:17 -0800 2005 1452766 0 TP