Guava Jam

It all started one summer, when my visiting Telugu, talented, mother- in- law made the best tasting jam from plums, sugar and lemon juice. I was amazed, it was easy and quick to make, she used just 2 plums.

It did not seem as laborious as my memories of making jam at home with my mom.

So I have been wanting to make some jam, any jam at home as well. I tried the chia seed strawberry jam, my daughter tasted it and kindly declined stating the seeds were getting stuck in her teeth.

I, then read about the health benefits of guava and have been trying to make guava jam all summer with many failed attempts with fresh guava. I would buy the guava but they were not ripe, so I would wait for them to ripen, in the time that it took to ripen it was ready to be composted. Each time I forgot about them I had more rotten guavas. I am embarrassed to say there was no guava jam this summer.

And then the other day, I came across frozen pink guava pulp in the Indian store in Sunnyvale, CA. It is my lucky day, I thought to myself. So I bought the bag and decided this might a better route for me.

Last night, I found a recipe to make it and Oh, my goodness, it is out of this world! If I can say it myself.

I used this recipe. I made changes but of course…

1. I added just 1/2 cup of sugar to the 2 cups of puree.
2. I added 2 tsp of rose water.
3. I added a few strands of saffron.
4. I added 1/2 tsp beet powder for deep pink color.

I have a great smelling kitchen and yummy jam in just 20 minutes.

As usual, my daughter was ready to lick the pot I made it in and no complaints of seeds, if you please.

Give it a try, pounce on the guava puree if you are yearning for some home made guava jam.

I ate it on a slice of whole wheat bread today and can’t wait of tomorrow.

Any point in eating guavas? Well, consider it’s profile: lots of Vit C, fiber and lycopene  [normally associated with tomatoes and watermelon]. So what is not to like for a heart healthy fruit, that has other positive effects such as  boosting your immune system, healthy bowel movements and make you look not so old and wrinkly!

Not sure if the jam works as well for health but I am going for it, it is minus the long list of ingredients from “Smuckers et al.”

What jam have you made and what spices did you put in it?

Is your child helping you make it? if yes, what part did they do: washing, measuring, pouring, stirring, tasting or loading the dish washer?