IN SEASON

TASTE

IN SEASON GUAVA Goodness

Florida is known for its bounty of tropical fruit, and guava is one of its sweetest jewels. Although it’s harvested year-round in the Sunshine State, guava’s peak seasons are from August through October and February to March, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Guava trees thrive in well-drained soil and direct sun, and the fruit is rich in vitamins C, B1, and B6. While delicious on its own, guava can also be turned into jams and jellies, making it an ideal filling for pastries.

Cuban pastelitos, or “little pastries,” have long been a South Florida favorite, and few are as beloved as those made with guava. Southern West Palm Beach—just west of South Dixie Highway, in particular—boasts a number of great Cuban eateries offering this delicious treat. Start your pastry crawl on Forest Hill Boulevard, stopping at the grab-and-go windows at Havana Restaurant (havanacubanfood.com) and Delicias Cuban Bakery (deliciasbakeries.com). Continue north to the family-owned Capri Bakery & Restaurant (capribakeryandrestaurant.com) before wrapping up your culinary adventure at Tulipan Bakery & Café (tulipanbakery.com). Be sure to wash it all down with a café con leche or two along the way. —Mary Murray