If you’re new here, hi, my name is Jamie and I’m absolutely obsessed with all things guava.
Growing up in a Cuban family means you were brought up with guava fruit, guava paste, guava nectar, and all types of homemade recipes using guava.
If you’ve never heard of guava, I’m happy to share more about this amazing fruit!
What is Guava Fruit?
Guava fruit is a sour-sweet tropical fruit that is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. They are oval in shape with rough light green skin and their insides are a light pink color.
The tropical fruit began growing commercially in Florida and Hawaii in the 1800s when it hit American soil. Now, India is the number one producer of guava fruit. We have guava everywhere here in South Florida. Our local grocery stores carry it as well as fresh markets.
What does Guava taste like?
There are several varieties of guava fruits but the most common one tastes a little sour-sweet like a mix between a strawberry and a lemon.
What is Guava Paste?
Now because of the fruit’s high pectin content, you’re able to make guava jams, guava marmalade, and guava paste from the fruit.
Guava paste is essentially like fruit leather made by cooking the guava fruit with sugar (and sometimes fresh lime juice) until it becomes a very thick [delicious] paste.
While the jams and marmalade are drippy, the guava paste is formed into thick and sticky block that’s still soft enough to slice.
Easy Guava Recipes
While you’ll usually see sweet recipes made with guava, you can make savory recipes with guava too.
Here are a few Cuban-inspired guava recipes that you must add to your menu rotations this week!
1. Pastelitos de Guayaba + Queso (Guava Cheese Pastries!)
2. The Best Guava Margarita (On-the-Rocks!)
3. Guava Cake Bars (Cuban Masa Real de Guayaba)
4. Guava BBQ Sauce From Scratch (No Ketchup!)
5. Guava BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings
6. Torticas de Guayaba (Guava Jam Thumbprint Cookies)
7. Guava Jam Bars with Coconut Macadamia Oat Crumble Topping
8. Guava Caramel Bread Pudding Recipe
9. Almond Butter & Guava Jelly Muffins
10. 3-Ingredient Elderflower Guava Mimosa
11. Easy Guava Swirl Cheesecake with Maria Cookie Crust
12. Guava BBQ Glazed Meatloaf Recipe
13. Guava Cranberry Sauce
14. DIY Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink (15 Minute Recipe!)
15. White Chocolate Guava Magic Cookie Bars
16. Guava Basil Moscow Mule
17. Guava Rice Krispie Treats with Maria Cookies
18. Guava Cheese Pop Tarts
19. Baked Guava Mimosa Glazed Doughnuts
20. Fluffy Pancakes with Guava-Maple Syrup
Easy Guava Recipes: Pastelitos de Guayaba And More!
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry sheets I like Pepperidge Farm
- 1 package guava paste I like the Conchita brand
- 1 package cream cheese** optional the block over the spreadable kind
- 1 egg** whisked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions, usually about 20-30 minutes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Cut guava into thin slices. If using cream cheese, cut the block into slices too. Unfold one of the pastry sheets and place it on the cookie sheet.
- Place 6 slices of guava per pastry sheet fold about 1-2 inches apart (you’ll have 18 slices total on the entire pastry sheet). Add cream cheese over guava paste slices (optional).
- Unfold the second pastry sheet and place it over the other one that now has the guava paste slices.
- Cut into 9 squares and score the tops of each one. No need to divide the squares. Leave everything intact. Brush egg wash on each one to get that flaky crust.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Theresa says
Love your recipes but do you have a recipe for guava curd? Looked every where no one has one that I can find!! Gurrr! Thank you inadvance.