Guacamole with Vegetable Crudités

A fresh, vibrant paleo-friendly appetizer that combines creamy guacamole with crisp seasonal vegetables.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Paleo, Gluten-free, Vegan
• Difficulty: Easy

Equipment Needed

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Citrus juicer (optional)
• Vegetable peeler
• Serving platter

Ingredients

For the Guacamole:

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

For the Crudités:

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
• 2 celery stalks, cut into sticks
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 8-10 radishes, trimmed and halved

Instructions

1. Prepare the Guacamole:
   • Halve the avocados, remove pits, and scoop flesh into a large bowl
   • Mash avocados with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture
   • Add lime juice immediately to prevent browning
   • Fold in diced onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using)
   • Season with salt and cumin
   • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed
2. Prepare the Crudités:
   • Wash all vegetables thoroughly
   • Peel carrots and cut into 3-inch sticks
   • Cut celery into 3-inch sticks
   • Slice cucumber into 1/4-inch thick rounds
   • Remove seeds from bell peppers and cut into strips
   • Trim radishes and cut in half
3. Assembly and Presentation:
   • Place guacamole in the center of a large serving platter
   • Arrange vegetable crudités around the guacamole in a circular pattern
   • Garnish with extra cilantro if desired

Chef’s Tips

• Choose avocados that yield slightly when pressed
• For extra crunch, ice the cut vegetables for 10 minutes
• Prepare vegetables up to 24 hours in advance and store in water
• Keep guacamole fresh by placing plastic wrap directly on its surface

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Calories: 245
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 310mg

Variations

• Add garlic powder for extra flavor
• Include jicama sticks for additional crunch
• Substitute lime with lemon juice
• Add cherry tomatoes to the crudité selection