Ingredients:
• 2 ripe guavas
• 1 tbsp oil
• a few dry red chilies
• salt to tast
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• a few methi (fenugreek) seeds
• ½ tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Cilantro for garnish
Preparation:
Heat oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and wait a few seconds until the seeds pop. Add methi seeds, red chilies and guava. Stir and cook for a few minutes. Add salt, sugar and lime juice. Garnish with cilantro and serve with roti or parathas.
Guava Heaven:
Guava, a popular tropical fruit, is said to have originated in Southern Mexico and from there, traveled to various parts of the world. It is now found in most tropical countries, from South East Asia to South America. The fruit is round or pear shaped and it’s flesh ranges in color from pink to white and sometimes even red or yellow. The unripe fruit is crunchy and it ripens to a soft and creamy texture.
In most countries Guava is eaten raw, and is delicious sprinkled with salt and red pepper or black pepper. Because of the high level of pectin, guavas are used to make jam, marmalade, preserves and candies. Guava juice is popular in South America, South Africa, Egypt and Mexico. In Hawaii, guava fruit is eaten dipped in soy sauce and vinegar. In Mexico and India, the pulp is cooked along with sugar and then set in a pan to make guava cheese or cake.
Guava is a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese and folate. Vitamin C levels in the rind are five times higher than an orange. One of nature’s best antioxidants, it is also a good source of fiber, so it helps to prevent colon cancer and also helps in lowering cholesterol levels.
Guavas sold in markets are generally firm and should be ripened at home before using. Ripe guavas have a fragrant aroma and are soft to the touch. Some varieties have more seeds than others. Guavas should be stored and ripened at room temperature. Ripe guavas can be refrigerated, but must be used within two days.
Although guavas are delicious eaten raw, it can be cooked like a vegetable.