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1月, 2020
Best. Avocado. Toast. Ever.
Holy guacamole! It’s California avocado season. And it’s Dungeness crab season. Thank you, Mother Nature, for your impeccable timing. Because nothing improves avocado toast like putting some sweet, fresh crabmeat on top. Corn tostadas make a crunchy base and—bonus points—they’re gluten free. Chill a California white wine and enjoy.
The salad topping helps stretch the crabmeat; to save money, buy a cooked crab and extract the meat yourself. Can’t get crab? No worries. Check the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch for the best sustainable alternatives. Depending on where you live, rockfish, lingcod or U.S.-farmed shrimp could be a smart substitution.
The California avocado harvest starts in winter and revs up in spring. The bumpy-skinned Hass avocados dominate; they’re so smooth, rich, and buttery that no other variety can compete. Growers pick the fruits hard and they ripen off the tree. Firm ones will soften in a day or two in your kitchen; wait until they give to gentle pressure, then pounce. Never refrigerate avocados. They hate that.
TRAVEL TIP
You’ll find dozens of crab-friendly Chardonnays in Monterey County tasting rooms; the county leads the state in growing Chardonnay grapes. And don’t miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Monterey’s Cannery Row; it’s a visitor favorite.
The Pour
Which Wine?
White wine, please. That was easy. But now let’s drill down a bit in case you have options. White wines can be lean and sprightly or rich and creamy. The perfect choice depends on the crab preparation.
If the recipe relies on fresh herbs and lemon or lime juice, choose a leaner white wine such as California Sauvignon Blanc.
If the recipe includes butter and cream, open a richer white wine such as California Chardonnay.
If the recipe incorporates Asian seasonings (ginger, chilies, soy sauce, coconut milk), go with an aromatic white wine such as California Riesling.
For a little more pairing help, watch this: Two Chardonnays. Two somms. Two minutes
Wine Institute is an association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses from the beautiful and diverse wine regions throughout the state. Wine Institute works to create an environment where the wine community can flourish and contribute in a positive fashion to our nation, state and local communities. For information please contact communications@wineinstitute.org.
Certified sustainable producer Jordan Winery, owner of the Wine Country Table website and magazine, consents to Wine Institute’s use of its trademark for this book. Find food, wine, entertaining and travel tips at www.winecountrytable.com.