Avocado Gelato

Avocado Gelato
Avocado Gelato
The dense, velvety texture of avocados produces a gelato of exceptional smoothness, with no added cream or egg. Though avocado may seem unusual as a sweet, it's commonly used as a dessert ingredient in Latin America. We call for a crushed vitamin C tablet here, which is the trick to retaining the bright green color of the avocados without affecting their flavor.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes about 1 quart
American Ice Cream Machine Dairy Dessert Freeze/Chill Avocado Summer Gourmet Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 (4- by 1-inch) strips fresh orange zest
  • 2 firm-ripe california avocados (1 to 1 1/4 lb total)
  • 1 (500-mg) vitamin c tablet, crushed to a powder
  • an ice cream maker

Preparation Bring 1 3/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, zest, and a pinch of salt to a simmer in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Whisk together cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk into simmering milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a metal bowl, then set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and cool completely, stirring frequently. Discard zest. Quarter, pit, and peel avocados, then purée with vitamin C and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor until smooth. Add milk mixture and blend well. Freeze avocado mixture in ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until hardened, about 1 hour. Cooks' note:Ice cream can be made 1 week ahead.

Preparation Bring 1 3/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, zest, and a pinch of salt to a simmer in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Whisk together cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk into simmering milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a metal bowl, then set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and cool completely, stirring frequently. Discard zest. Quarter, pit, and peel avocados, then purée with vitamin C and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor until smooth. Add milk mixture and blend well. Freeze avocado mixture in ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until hardened, about 1 hour. Cooks' note:Ice cream can be made 1 week ahead.