Guava duff

Guava duff is a tropical variation of English plum pudding, made with sweet guava filling wrapped in a soft dough and cooked until tender. It is a comforting, old-fashioned dessert with warm spice, gentle fruit flavor, and a pleasing, hearty texture. 

Prepare the guava filling

Peel the guavas, cut them in half, and remove the seeds. Dice the guava flesh and place it in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and allspice.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the guava is soft. Drain well. If you like, reserve a little of the cooking liquid to flavor a sauce later.

Make the dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening until the mixture looks crumbly. Stir in the milk and beaten egg to make a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth.

Fill and shape the duff

Roll the dough out into a rectangle, as you would for a jelly roll. Arrange half of the guava filling over the center third of the dough. 

Fold one outer third over the filling. Spread the remaining guava filling over the folded dough.

Fold the last third over the top and seal the edges carefully.

Wrap and boil

Wrap the filled dough securely in a clean cotton cloth, linen cloth, or foil. Tie or seal it well so water cannot enter. 

Place it in a large pot of boiling water, or set it in a double boiler. Boil for about 1 hour, or a little longer if needed, until the duff is set and cooked through.

Remove carefully, unwrap, and let it rest a few minutes before slicing.