PHOTO 53.5 Million Pounds of Hass Avocados to Be Devoured by Football Fans on Big Game Day.

One of the Top Consumption Days of the Year for Avocados Means Much More than Just Guacamole

IRVINE, Calif. -- Please replace the Classic Guacamole photo for release dated Jan. 4, 2007 with the accompanying corrected photo.

The release reads:

53.5 MILLION POUNDS OF HASS AVOCADOS TO BE DEVOURED BY FOOTBALL FANS ON BIG GAME DAY

One of the Top Consumption Days of the Year for Avocados Means Much More than Just Guacamole

The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) today announced it anticipates that football fans across the country will consume an unprecedented 53.5 million pounds of Hass avocados during the Big Game on February 4. That's enough to cover Miami's Dolphin Stadium football field end zone to end zone more than 20.5 feet deep in Hass avocados. Big Game Day is projected to be one of the largest Hass avocado consumption days of 2007.

Hass avocados are not only a "must-have" item for any Big Game Day party, consumers also enjoy their creamy and delicious flavor year round. In fact, nearly one billion pounds of Hass avocados were shipped in the United States from November 2005 to October 2006.

"Every year, football fans across the country include Hass avocados in their Big Game Day dishes," said Jose Luis Obregon, managing director, information technology, for HAB. "To meet this year's increased demand, growers and producers from California, Mexico, Chile and the Dominican Republic are working diligently to harvest and supply their fruit so consumers can kick off their Big Game Day parties with Hass avocados."

While guacamole is a popular way to enjoy the fruit, Hass avocados are also a great addition to a variety of game day dishes from burgers and sandwiches, to chili and nachos. A number of delicious recipes that will help you score big with your game day guests can be found on the Hass Avocado Board's Web site at www.avocadocentral.com.

The Hass Avocado Board challenges consumers to go "beyond guacamole" for this year's Big Game Day party. Fans can make their get-together the best on the block by whipping up this crunchy and creamy "Crab Cakes Stuffed with Hass Avocados" recipe.

Crab Cakes Stuffed with Hass Avocado

Serves: 6

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Instructions

1. In small skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Add shallots and saute for 2 minutes.

2. In large bowl, combine shallots, bread crumbs, cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, bell pepper, parsley, mustard, egg, salt and crab. Cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to blend.

3. Stir in avocados. Form crab mixture into 12 cakes and chill for 30 minutes.

4. In large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add crab cakes and cook for about 3 minutes or until browned, turn and brown other side.

5. Serve on a bed of greens and sliced oranges drizzled with dressing.

If fans are still looking to include a delicious guacamole dish at their Big Game Day celebration, the Hass Avocado Board suggests serving its "Classic Guacamole" recipe.

Classic Guacamole

Serves: 12

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Instructions

1. Place avocados in a large bowl and mash them.

2. Add lemon juice and mix well.

3. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve with tortilla chips.

About HAB

The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) was established in 2002 after approval by producers and importers of Hass avocados in a national referendum. A 12-member Board administers the program. Over 20,000 producers and 100 importers are involved in the HAB, which covers fresh domestic and imported Hass avocados sold in the U.S. market.

Editor's note: High-resolution images of these recipes available for download at www.avocadocentral.com