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Guacamole a vehicle for therapeutic herbs By Sarah Lemon Updated: May 13, 2022 01:16 PM A A I’ve been relishing California’s avocado season. This springtime window offers reasonable assurance that avocados are buttery and smooth without any stringy flesh or musty aroma. As environmental and societal concerns mount around Mexican avocados, there’s even more reason to take advantage of domestic fruits. And typically, the simplest preparations are best. In addition to some delicious springtime salads, I shared recipes in a March 2021 column that appeal to alternative diets, including vegan, Paleo and dairy-free. Avocado hummus and chocolate-avocado pudding also could be vehicles for therapeutic cannabis and other herbs. A growing culinary trend, cooking with cannabis was highlighted in this year’s Our Valley . An April story also mentioned private classes with Ashland instructor Deborah Costella , who can teach cooks how to extract THC and CBD for culinary use. The easier route, of course, is to purchase a high-quality distillate from either dispensaries or grocery stores and specialty markets that carry CBD products. Verify your tolerance for CBD or THC products before following recipe recommendations. With or without CBD, this guacamole is a classic condiment for avocado lovers. For richly flavored avocado and turkey panini , tune into episode 147 of my podcast . Tribune News Service photo Chunky Guacamole 5 radishes, trimmed 1 small onion, peeled 2 fresh jalapenos, stemmed and seeded 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves 4 firm-ripe California avocados 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice Salt, to taste 4 recommended doses favorite CBD oil (optional) Cut outermost layer of the radishes into about 1/4-inch-thick slices; discard white interior. Finely dice radish and the onion and jalapenos, wearing gloves for the chiles and including seeds for spice, if desired. Chop the cilantro. Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop avocado flesh into a bowl and coarsely mash all the ingredients together. Season with salt, to taste, and additional fresh chiles or chile powder, if needed. Serve with chips, veggies, on burgers or as a fresh, zesty condiment to just about anything. — Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine