Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

1 kg guava 

8-10 tsp castor sugar (to taste)

Juice of 2 lemons

50-75 ml cold water

Method:

Wash and pat dry guava then cut horizontally in halves.  By means of a teaspoon, core out the pulp and seeds of each into a medium-sized bowl.  Cover and leave aside.  When all quantity is done, dice guava flesh, without peeling; into bite sizes.  Sprinkle five teaspoonfuls over them and the juice of one lemon.  Cover and allow to release its waters for aapproximately five minutes.  Add remaining sugar and lemon juice to the cored pulp and seeds.  Stir in the amount of cold water, to combine.  Remove pulp mixture inside a hand Legumes moulin grinder; with a sieve narrower in size than the guava seeds.  Grind to extract the thick juices.  Discard the seeds.  Remove thick juices oozed out.  Add them to diced guava and sugar mixture.  Gently stir to combine all ingredients together; acquiring a thick sweet zesty syrup.  Taste for sugar according to your liking.  If needed; stir in more to taste.  Refrigerate and serve cold, as a refreshing dessert.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 25 April, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly