There is a new cafe opening up next month in Amsterdam that features all things avocado, from breakfast to dessert.

The latest avocado trend is here: the avocado burger. But is it worth the splurge or just plain unhealthy?

This infographic accompanies its partner slide show covering 16 Surprising Facts About Bananas (see link in article).

Cucumbers are a refreshing fruit that you can enjoy raw with salads, sandwiches or on their own. Very low in calories, cucumbers are fat and cholesterol free. However, some people experience gastrointestinal distress from some varieties of cucumbers because of a bitter substance called cucurbitacin.

Pasalai keerai is spinach. It is used in various Indian recipes, usually cooked with added spices and vegetables. India has a number of keerai or "greens" that are used in traditional meals and for their health benefits. Spinach is called pasalai keerai in Tamil, the Dravidian language spoken in parts of India.

A single sun-dried tomato can change the entire flavor of a meal. A tomato that is dehydrated in the sun develops an intense flavor and chewy texture without losing the nutrients, including vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene, that make tomatoes a valuable part of your diet.

Versatile tropical fruits, bananas are nutritional powerhouses, rich in vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber. Crispy, sweet and guilt-free, baked bananas chips are a cinch to make. A portable, high-energy treat, baked banana chips are just right for a hiking trip or as part of a healthy lunch.

There is a school of thought that considers canned foods to be a compromise, trading quality for convenience. That's not always true. With tomatoes, for example, the "fresh" tomatoes available for much of the year are hard and flavorless, bred and picked purely for their storage characteristics.

The way you cook potatoes for potato salad can make or break this summer classic. Boil them too long and you may get a mushy salad with the texture of mashed potatoes. Skimp on the cooking and your potatoes can turn out as crisp as celery.

The perfect butternut squash is dense, sweet and versatile enough to feature in every meal of the day. A squash that's been picked too soon or is past its prime, however, will be dried out or mushy and flavorless.

Gourds are a staple in autumnal centerpieces on dinner tables, while their cousins like pumpkins and melons more often make it to the dinner plate. Many gourds are best left to fall crafts, but a few are edible and flexible enough to be used in a variety of dishes.

Freezing is a quick and convenient method of food preservation you can use to save a large bunch of carrots. While many people recommend blanching carrots before you freeze them, this step isn't necessary. The purpose of blanching is to keep the carrots viable longer in the freezer.