Ripe plantain · Sweet

Mala rabia

Guava, plantain, and sweet potato in syrup

A Dominican-style fruit dessert with guava, ripe plantain, sweet potato, and cinnamon. Serve in small bowls, warm or chilled.

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Prep20 min
Cook35 min
Total55 min
Serves6

Let’s make it.

  1. Prepare guavas

    Wash, halve, and scoop out the seeds. Reserve the seeds and cut the flesh into wedges.

  2. Infuse

    Simmer the seeds and cinnamon in the water for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, discarding the seeds. Return the liquid and cinnamon stick to the pot.

  3. Cook the firm fruit

    Add sugar and sweet potato. Simmer 10 minutes, then add plantain. Simmer another 10–15 minutes until both are tender.

  4. Add guava

    Add guava wedges and simmer 5–10 minutes, until tender and the liquid is lightly syrupy. Add water if it reduces too quickly.

  5. Serve

    Remove the cinnamon. Serve warm, or cool and refrigerate in a covered container for a chilled dessert.

A little kitchen wisdom

  • Keep the plantain pieces large enough to hold together.
  • Guava seeds are hard: strain the infusion thoroughly.
  • Fruit sweetness varies; taste the syrup before adding more sugar.

Need a hand getting started? Read how to peel a plantain and our cooking guide.

Times are estimates; use the doneness cues in the method. Follow safe internal temperatures for meat, seafood, and egg dishes. Read our recipe approach.