Many of the recipes in my “5 Avocado Dishes from 5 Countries” series feature avocados in unconventional drinks or desserts, but this Guyanese dish feels deliciously familiar for many reasons. Avocado choka is an avocado mash similar to guacamole, but it originated in Guyana, a country on the North Atlantic coast of South America. The Caribbean nation boasts a wonderfully diverse amalgamation of cultures, and this avocado-based dish reflects this.

There are many ways to doctor up guacamole in America. You can add different seasonings, herbs, or vegetables; in Guyana, avocado mash includes onion, salt, vegetable oil, and–most notably–a whole hot pepper. Avocado choka is then usually served with protein and bread for scooping. I received this recipe submission from Kamilah, who comes from a Guyanese family but currently resides in Miami, Florida. This mash was Kamilah’s first introduction to avocado, and she is proud to prepare this dish, as it helps her feel more connected to her family and her culture. Apparently, similar dishes are enjoyed throughout other Caribbean countries, like Trinidad. I would love to hear your favorite version if you have enjoyed avocado choka with different additions!

My final avocado choka came out beautifully, despite using only half of the hot pepper. Before you judge, just know that I am a baby when it comes to heat! That was plenty of spice for me, and I’m sure you can gauge this for yourself, too. I also used paratha instead of roti to scoop the mash, and this bread was so flaky and soft. Roti is similarly delicious, so I’m sure you could use any soft, flaky bread in the house! The great thing about this dish is that it feels very familiar to those of us whose primary exposure to avocado has been guacamole. It is an excellent way to explore another culture’s cuisine without straying too far outside your food comfort zone.

When Kamilah was younger, she and her brother were very busy during weekdays. Consequently, her mother would make homemade breakfasts on the weekends. Kamilah always particularly enjoyed these breakfasts when her mother made avocado choka, and she still enjoys it to this day. It reminds her of special times with her parents and her brother, and it reminds me of the beauty of different cultures and cuisines. If you’d like to take that first step outside your food comfort zone, give avocado choka a try. Just be sure to let me know how much hot pepper you use!