Guayaba

A green, oval fruit with sweet red, pink, or white flesh and small edible seeds. When ripe, it is soft to the touch. It is eaten out of hand, poached in sugar syrup, used for jellies, preserves, and marmalade, and also made into membrillo, a hardened paste that is sold in thirteen-, sixteen-, and eighteen-ounce loaves. Guava paste is used in desserts or served with crackers and Cuban queso blanco (similar to farmer’s cheese) or cream cheese.