There’s no doubt that if you’re a frequent Nino’s shopper, you’ve spent a moment to walk down our specialty produce aisle where you’ll find all sorts of amazing fruits and vegetables, many of which have foreign names and alien looks.

Even if you’ve never been able to identify some of this exotic produce by sight, you may have occasionally recognized some of their names.

Like guava, for example?

As a matter of fact, pink guavas happen to be in season right now (through the end of summer) and have never looked (nor tasted) better.

Guavas are native to the subtropical regions of the United States and are grown in Hawaii, Florida and Southern California. They are also grown in many areas of Asia, Mexico, South America and South Africa.

Pink guavas are a roundish fruit, approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter with smooth green or yellow, edible skin and pink or salmon-colored flesh. Of all the guavas, the pinks have the most fragrance and tend to be just slightly acidic with an assertive, sweet flavor; some say it’s a flavor similar to pineapple. The skin, flesh and seeds of the pink guava are all edible.

Pink guavas can be used in both sweet and savory recipes due to their somewhat tart flavor. You can use them in many different recipes, including your favorite salads or salsas. Guava puree can also be used to make ice cream, jams, jellies, juices, spritzers and cocktails.

Besides the pink guava’s awesome flavor, the perfume as they ripen in your kitchen will fill the air with a tropical scent.

As guavas are a summer fruit, there is no better way to showcase these delicious gems than to prepare them in a tropical fruit salsa recipe.

Pink Guava Salsa: Makes about 2 ¼ Cups

2 Cups                          Pink Guavas, Peeled and Diced 3/8”

¼ Cup                           Cilantro, Chopped

¼ Cup                           Red Onion, Cut in Thin Slices

¼ Cup                           Red Bell Pepper, Finely Julienned

½ tsp                           Chili Powder

1 tsp                           Jalapeno Pepper, Chopped

1                               Lime, Juiced

2 tsp                           Honey

1. Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive mixing bowl and toss. Keep chilled.

This salsa is also an excellent garnish on grilled fish, roasted chicken and grilled pork.

Another great reason to enjoy pink guava is for its excellent nutritional value. In fact, it’s often added to the growing list of healthy super fruits!

Guava is low in calories and fat but carries several vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that play a pivotal role in the prevention of cancers, premature aging and infections.

It’s rich in soluble dietary fiber; an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins C, A and B; and high in lycopene. It even has more potassium per weight than bananas!

I hope you give this delicious specialty produce recipe a try this summer and enjoy all that pink guava has to offer.