Sicilian guacamole: authentic recipe with Mount Etna avocados

For lovers of gourmet cuisine that is simple, Sicilian guacamole sauce is ideal: here is the recipe, tips and its nutritional properties.

Tenuta Donna Fina

27/03/2026

Guacamole is a sauce from Mexican cuisine that is now popular all over the world, both for its versatility and for its simplicity. In fact, it is a quick and easy preparation with a taste that manages to please the most varied palates.Here is how to prepare the Sicilian version of homemade guacamole sauce.

Guacamole meets Sicily: a bridge between two worlds

The term guacamole alone brings to mind the exotic and the gourmet partly because of its main ingredient: the avocado. However, this fruit was introduced to Italy as early as the economic boom thanks to emigrants returning from South America giving the opportunity to develop a true Sicilian avocado.

From Aztec origins to volcanic microclimate

Originating in Mexico and the Aztec culture in particular, guacamole was not just a sauce for this civilization. This is because avocados were a fundamental part of the Aztec diet, which did not include dairy animals. For this reason, the fruit and its pulp were often called “the butter of the Aztecs,” being their main source of spreadable, creamy fats.

With its arrival in Sicily, cultivation intensified between the 1980s and 1990s, consolidating mainly in the eastern part of the island and in the Catanese area in particular. This was mainly due to the presence of the volcanic microclimate in the area surrounding Mount Etna, which made the Sicilian avocado richer and creamier.

Hence, the idea of using local products to make homemade guacamole as a bridge between two different worlds and gastronomic cultures.

Sicilian guacamole recipe: how to prepare it at home

Ingredients

For about 500 g of guacamole:

Ripe avocados

Donna Fina

2 fruits/500 g

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Lime Juice

Donna Fina

40 ml

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White onion

1/2

Tomatoes

100 g

Chili

q.b.

Oil

q.b.

Halls

q.b.

Pepper

q.b.

Coriander

q.b.

Step-by-step procedure

To make the Sicilian version of salsa, you actually just need to follow the original guacamole recipe by using local produce from the island, such as Sicilian avocado and using local ingredients such as Sicilian lime. Here is the step-by-step procedure for the homemade guacamole sauce recipe:

The first step in making homemade Sicilian guacamole starts with the avocado. Cut it in half, remove the pit and use a spoon to scoop out the pulp from the peel and transfer it to a mortar;
Cut the lime in half, squeeze the juice and combine it with the avocado in the mortar;
Add just enough salt and pepper and start pounding the mixture with the pestle inside the mortar until it has a creamy consistency;
Chop the onion and cut the tomatoes into small cubes, making sure to remove the seeds first;
Transfer the sauce to the bowl in which you will serve it, finely chop the cilantro , and add it to the mixture along with the tomatoes and onion;
Mix the ingredients well, add a drizzle of raw oil, and serve the sauce.

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Creative pairings: not just nachos

When it comes to guacamole, the association is simple and immediate: nachos. In fact, it is the typical accompaniment with which to consume this salsa, a social dish par excellence considering how much it lends itself to sharing.

But what could be other pairings for this preparation? Here are some ideal suggestions for a Sicilian guacamole.

Guacamole and Mazara Red Shrimp: the gourmet appetizer

For many, guacamole is a gourmet preparation primarily because of the exotic nature of the recipe and its ingredients. However, it is possible to elevate this recipe even more by using sought-after, quality ingredients. One example might be Mazara Red Shrimp, a great accompaniment to a Sicilian guacamole sauce for a gourmet appetizer with a local flavor.

To prepare it, simply clean the shrimp by removing the carapace and intestinal filament and leave them whole or in small cubes. We recommend seasoning the shrimp in a small bowl with Sicilian EVO oil and a little salt and then serving the guacamole per diner on a crispy crouton or ceramic cocotte with the red shrimp on top of the sauce.

Sicilian brunch ideas: ancient grain crostini and white fish

Guacamole sauce is also well suited for a Sicilian-flavored brunch. The advice is to make Sicilian guacamole sauce using local ingredients from the island, to which you can pair it with bread or croutons made from ancient Sicilian grains such as Tumminia, Russello or Perciasacchi.

An iblea bruschetta with cubes of Caciocavallo Ragusano DOP sautéed in a pan with a little vinegar and oregano can be paired with this proposal. In addition, you can suggest smoked swordfish fillets, an amberjack carpaccio or other white fish, such as seared cod. To garnish in Sicilian, you can use desalted Pantelleria capers, sun-dried pomodorino Pachino or Favignana tuna roe.

Tips for perfect guacamole and storage

The perfect avocado: how to choose the degree of ripeness

To make excellent guacamole, it is essential to choose quality ingredients, starting with theavocado. As far as this fruit is concerned, it is most important to use avocados at the right degree of ripeness. The methods for figuring out how ripe an avocado is are different and involve both the peel and the stem.

To make guacamole, we recommend choosing a medium-ripened avocado: in fact, if it is unripe, the salsa will be grainy and bitter, while if it is overripe, the flavor will be cloying.

The secret to a buttery, grainy texture

Texture is a key feature of a successful guacamole sauce: it should be buttery with afew small pieces of pulp making it a bit grainy. Therefore, the biggest mistake is using a blender, which does not allow for an irregular texture.

Instead, it is ideal to prepare the sauce using a mortar or even crushing the avocado with a fork. Remember that it would be best not to use metal, to avoid premature oxidation of the salsa.

Storage and how not to blacken guacamole

A major obstacle of guacamole and avocados in general, as with other fruits, is oxidation. To keep the salsa from blackening in contact with air, it is essential to use lemon or lime juice, which will act as a natural antioxidant barrier thanks tocitric acid. The addition of lime juice is therefore not merely a matter of taste, but a necessity of preparation.

Also, the advice is to prepare the avocado salsa at the time of serving and not well in advance, just to avoid oxidation. As for storage, you can keep the salsa in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours at most: however, the more time that passes, the more the taste of the guacamole will change. On the other hand, it is not recommended to freeze guacamole because it will lose consistency upon thawing.

Properties and benefits of Sicilian guacamole

A concentrate of good fats and vitamins

But what are the nutritional properties and benefits of a preparation like Sicilian guacamole? The main ingredient in the recipe can only be the Sicilian avocado, which contains a high concentration of oleic acid, thanks to its ripening under the island’s sun. This monounsaturated fat is the same as olive oil, which protects the heart and helps regulate cholesterol.

Added to this are:

Potassium and magnesium: found in avocado and salt, essential for blood pressure and muscle recovery;
Fiber: contained in avocado flesh than in onion, to promote digestion and a low glycemic index;
Vitamin E and B6: contained in both avocado and Sicilian EVO oil, thanks to which a reserve of antioxidants is created that protects against aging.

The antioxidant action of lime and EVO oil.

In our Sicilian guacamole sauce recipe, the presence of lime allows for the combined action of citric acid and vitamin C, acting as a natural shield to both prevent oxidation and fight free radicals in our bodies.

Added to this is the action of EVO oil, which provides polyphenols and vitamin E, antioxidants useful for skin elasticity and cellular health. In addition to the avocado, it is these two ingredients that make guacamole a preparation with several benefits, maximizing nutrient absorption.

Here is a handy summary table on the nutritional and caloric values per 100 g of Sicilian guacamole:

Nutrient	Quantity (per 100g)
Calories	185 kcal
Total Fats	17,5 g
of which saturated	2,5 g
Of which monounsaturated (Oleic Acid)	12,5 g
Carbohydrates	8,2 g
of which sugars	1,2 g
Fibers	6,4 g
Protein	2,1 g
Vitamin C	18% RDA*
Potassium	510 mg

Why Tenuta Donna Fina’s Sicilian avocado makes a difference

To make a guacamole sauce of excellent quality and taste, we suggest using Tenuta Donna Fina’s Sicilian avocado. Depending on the time of year, you can choose between the Hass Bio avocado variety, which has a purple shell and buttery flesh with slight nutty notes, and the Fuerte Bio avocado, which has a smooth green skin and a delicate, slightly grassy taste.

But why does our avocados make a difference? The first reason is the organic certification: our avocados are quality products, grown on the Island according to nature’s timing and without external forcing. For this reason, our avocados taste much better than those on the market.

Also making our products special is the volcanic microclimate and fertile soils of Sicily, which give the extra boost and their characteristic taste to the fruit.

Finally, remember that we always harvest produce on the same day as shipment, and since avocados are a climacteric fruit, which only begin to ripen after harvest, it is important to remember that you will need to wait about 10 to 15 days to be ripe to the right degree.

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FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Sicilian guacamole.

How do you stop guacamole from turning brown?

The real obstacle to guacamole sauce is oxidation. To prevent it, add plenty of fresh lime or lemon juice to the surface and cover the bowl with clingfilm, removing any air bubbles.

How long does guacamole keep in the fridge?

Guacamole will keep for about 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator. Freezing it is not recommended because it will lose flavor and texture.

What are the benefits of guacamole?

It is packed with “good” (monounsaturated) fats, potassium and fiber. Thanks to the antioxidant-rich Sicilian avocado, it is a valuable ally for heart and skin health.

Can I use lemon instead of lime in guacamole?

Absolutely. In the Sicilian version, the lemon brings a more complex and less pungent aromatic note than the lime, marrying divinely with the extra virgin olive oil.

Why is my guacamole bitter?

Often it depends on using unripe avocados or scraping the part near the peel too much. It remains essential, therefore, to choose the right avocado for your preparation.

All flavor, no risks

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