Aldi’s New Oxo Copycat Is a Must-Have for Making Guacamole

And it's here just in time for Cinco de Mayo feasts!

<p>Aldi/Allrecipes</p>

Aldi/Allrecipes

Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May) is just around the corner. For those of Mexican heritage, it's a celebratory day commemorating the 1862 Battle of Puebla, when the Mexicans defeated French colonists trying to usurp some of their territory. For Americans not of Mexican heritage, it's often a day of celebrating Mexican culture and feasting on Mexican-inspired food‚—often of the Tex-Mex variety—and drinks.

Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex dishes share several ingredients, including the avocado, a staple in both cuisines. Avocado is the main ingredient in the pile of guacamole that sits atop nachos. Slices of avocado also complement fish tacos and ceviche well.

If guacamole is on your menu for May 5, you'll be smashing and slicing many avocados. Aldi now has two inexpensive tools in its "Aisle of Shame" that will make short work of your avocado prep.

Aldi’s Crofton Avocado Slicer and Avocado Masher

A few weeks ago, Aldi had a garlic dicer, a mini juicer, and a small zester in its Finds aisle for $2.99 each. It was the first time we noticed that Aldi was adding inexpensive kitchen tools to the aisle, changing the offerings each week. This week, the store is offering a 3-in-1 avocado slicer and an avocado masher. Both tools are BPA free, dishwasher safe, and just $2.99.

The avocado slicer pits, slices, and serves avocado. It’s designed similarly to and has the same functions as this $10 OXO Good Grips Avocado Slicer, but it’s 70 percent less expensive.

<p>Aldi/Allrecipes</p>

Aldi/Allrecipes

The avocado masher is great for mashing avocados, whether for your avocado toast or guacamole. I can also mash potatoes with it if they’re cut small enough.

In the same aisle this week, you’ll find colorful plastic margarita glasses for just $3.99 for a set of four, another bargain item for your Mexican-inspired feast.

As you plan the menu, we suggest buying the avocados sooner rather than later to give them time to ripen to the perfect consistency. It’s almost guaranteed that if you head to the store on May 4 or 5 to buy avocados, you’ll find them unripe because everyone else has purchased the ripened ones for their celebrations. If you find yourself with less-than-ideally ripe avocados, you can try to ripen them quickly, but results can vary.

Read the original article on All Recipes.