Cookbook:Feijoa

The feijoa or pineapple guava  is a fruit native to South America but now commercially grown in New Zealand and California.

Characteristics
The fruit is egg-shaped, with a thin lime-green skin. The flesh inside is cream-colored and encases a jelly-like center with small seeds. The texture is gritty, close to that of a pear. The flesh tastes like a combination of several other fruits, usually described as pineapple, guava, and strawberry, with hints of mint or eucalyptus. Some people report a taste similar to that of a quince or lemon.

Seasonality
Feijoa season begins in the fall—this means around September in the northern hemisphere and around March in the southern.

Selection and storage
Because the fruits don't significantly change color to indicate ripeness, go by touch: choose fruit that is fragrant and gives slightly to gentle pressure. It should come off the plant easily. You'll know the fruit is ripe when it is slightly soft and the jellied inner section is clear—if clear, it's underripe, and excessive browning means it's past its prime. Ripe feijoas are delicate, so take caution not to bruise the fruit. In some regions, feijoas are gaining in popularity and are becoming easier to find in supermarkets. They are already easy to find in specialty markets and can often be ordered out-of-season through several online merchants.

Ripe feijoas may be refrigerated, but they don’t have to be. Ripen feijoas in a paper bag at room temperature; to ripen more quickly, add an apple to the bag. Ripe feijoas normally last about 3–5 days. Feijoas may be frozen, but only after peeling and cooking into a purée.

Preparation
Feijoas are pretty easy to prepare. Start by slicing or tearing the fruit in half, then scoop out the inner flesh. You can also peel off the bitter outer skin, though it is technically edible.

Use
The most common use for feijoas is simply eating raw, either plain or as a salad or garnish. However, they can also be cooked into creams, jams, and cakes.