Guava Ice Cream

FOR THE ROASTED GUAVAS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from 4-6 ripe guavas. Cut the guavas in half horizontally and scoop out the inner portion where the seeds are. (Save the seedy sections to make this guava simple syrup for cocktails and drinks.)
3. Chop the fruit into large chunks. and transfer to a casserole dish.
4. In a small bowl mix ½ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cornstarch together until blended and pour it over the fruit. Stir to combine and transfer to the oven. Cook the fruit for 20 minutes. Remove and cool to room temperature.
5. Transfer the guava mixture to a mini food processor and pulse to puree. Pour the guava through a mesh sieve resting over a bowl and use a spatula to press the guava mixture through the mesh. to sort out any seeds and fibers. Set aside. (This can be made several days ahead).

IF YOU DON'T HAVE FRESH GUAVAS:

1. Add ⅔ cup guava paste to a small bowl and mash the paste with a fork to loosen it. Add ¼ cup boiling water one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until the paste is loose and smooth.

FOR THE GUAVA ICE CREAM:

1. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the 2⅔ cups whole milk in a separate prep bowl and whisk in 5 teaspoons cornstarch. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat ¼ cup cream cheese and¼ teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt with a hand mixer until smooth and evenly blended. Set aside.
3. In a large 4-quart saucepan, heat the remainder of the milk with 1½ cups cream, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup light corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and cook for 4 minutes.
4. Add the milk and cornstarch mixture to the cream mixture and cook, stirring constantly until it thickens.
5. Remove the cream mixture from the heat and add ¼-⅓ cup of the hot cream to the cream cheese. Use the hand mixer to beat until smooth, then gradually, beat in the remainder of the cream mixture until the base is well blended.
6. Add ⅔ cup roasted guava puree to the custard and stir to blend. (reserve leftover guava to swirl as a mix-in when packing the dessert.)
7. Stir in ¼ cup golden rum. Cover the custard with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours until very cold.

CHURN:

1. Churn the custard according to the manufacturer's instructions on the machine. It should take 20-25 minutes to become like soft-serve.
2. Pack the frozen dessert, alternating with the leftover roasted fruit, into a container and smooth the top. Cover and freeze for 2-4 hours until solid, then scoop and enjoy.