Check out my progress on Pineapple Prep, De-Mystified
Although I have enjoyed fresh pineapple for years and relished the opportunity to use it in my cooking, it was only recently that I learned how to prepare it. I guess its prickly exterior just intimidated me.
Fortunately, during my recent foodservice rotation in a university dining hall I finally gained an education in this fruity beast. Once I had been trained in pineapple prep, I realized that I would never again pay the extra two bucks for the neat cubes in the produce section.
Just in case there are a few pineapple-phobics out there, I thought I would pass along the information.
How to Prepare a Pineapple
1. Gather your cutting board, a sharp knife, and a ripe pineapple. Be sure to choose a pineapple that smells slightly sweet but isn’t soft to the touch.
2. Begin by cutting off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
3. Then slice off the prickly skin until no brown color remains.
4. With a flat end of the pineapple still on the board, cut the fruit in half lengthwise.
5. Cut each half in half.
6. Cut each quarter in half. You should now have eight spears.
7. When looking at each spear, the opaque, woody core should be easily visible. Position your knife at an angle to remove the core in each piece.
8. You can keep the pineapple in spears or cut into cubes, depending on their intended recipe.
9. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh pineapple…
Asian Tuna Salad with Wasabi Peas
Mama Pea’s Thai Veggie Burgers
Green Monster Smoothies
Tell me: Do any fruits and vegetables “intimidate” you? What are your favorite ways to eat pineapple?
Filed under: How To
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
i was always intimidated by pineapples. I’ve never cut them like that but I have used a wonderful tool that slices the pineapple for me! check out my post http://alwayskarinacocina.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/la-pina-contra-la/
its in spanish but its not hard to follow. I got the pineapple slicer off amazon!
ummm coconut black beans please
thank you SO much for this– i’ve bought a couple whole pineapples in the past (the vastly overpriced and environmentally unfriendly plastic was always a guilt-causing turn-off) but i’ve just MAULED them trying to cut them properly. now i know how to do it right. thanks!
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:41 am
Glad to be a help!
Coconut black beans? Sign me up! I can’t wait to try this, as the flavor combinations sound so lovely.
And, do you happen to have any tips on slicing a mango? For some reason, I always end up with juice everywhere and a very big mess.
Fresh brussel sprouts always intimidate me…whole butternut squash also.
I am the expert fresh pineapple cutter in my house. The key is patience and good knives!
I just posted a pineapple recipe today: http://applesandarteries.wordpress.com
I cheated and used canned pineapple.
Once you have the REAL STUFF, it is hard to go back to the processed version. My kids LOVE fresh pineapple. You also can have it grilled then chopped up over ice cream or in salsa over grilled fish. It also freezes well for future use or in smoothies. Also, I read that if you plant the stalk (top part), you will get a pineapple in two years.
I love fresh pineapple. I have been known to chew on the woody center just to extract all that delicious sweet pineapple juicy goodness.
BroccoliHut Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
You’re no the only one who does that…