3 ways with ... Guavas

Jelly jam. Photo / Babiche Martens

Jelly belly
Autumn means guavas (strictly speaking they're called cherry guavas), which means jelly jam. Wash fruit, cut off tops, cover with water and simmer for two hours. Strain through a jelly bag, then re-boil juice with equal quantity of sugar until it gels (adding the juice of half a lemon per two cups of liquid helps the setting).

Pudding fiend
Instead of strawberry or raspberry jam use guava jelly to top an upside-down jam pudding for a tangier treat. Or whip up old fashioned jam tarts - dollop a spoon of guava jelly on rounds of ready-made pastry - easy afternoon tea.

Tropical meat
De-glaze a pan of hot and spicy chicken pieces or pork ribs with guava jelly to make a sweet tangy jus. The guava works well with cumin-based rubs too.