Avocados produce and slowly release a gas (ethylene) that helps them ripen. There are a couple of ways to speed up this process.

Brown bag: If you have a few days, place avocado and an apple in a paper bag and close bag tightly. The gas surrounds the avocado in the bag and speeds up the process.

Baked: If you need to “ripen” right away, wrap avocado in foil. Make sure there are no leaks.

• Place on a baking sheet and put it in an oven that has been pre-heated to 200o F. The foil contains the gas as it is released and the heat softens the fruit.

• Check every 10 minutes until the avocado has softened to desired consistency (if very hard it may take up to 60 minutes). You can check the avocado by gently squeezing it through a thin oven mitt or towel to protect your hand.

• Remove from oven and place in the refrigerator until cooled.