How To Cut A Pineapple

STEPS TO CUT A PINEAPPLE 

Step 1:

Lay the pineapple on its side and use a large, sharp knife to cut the top and the bottom off. Make a cut about 1/2 inch or a little less off the top and the bottom. 

Step 2:

Stand it up on the bottom cut side and slice the outer skin layer off. Start at the top and cut down along the shape of the pineapple. Try not to cut too deep so you can save as much of the sweet flesh as possible. Slice off the “eyes” that are deep and brown. Tiny lighter ones are fine to leave. 

Step 3:

Keep the pineapple standing and slice it lengthwise down the middle to create two halves. Cut each half, lengthwise, down the middle to create quarters. 

Step 4:

Locate the thick core at the corner of each quarter and slice it off. 

Step 5:

Chop the pineapple quarters into 1-inch chunks. You can make them thicker or thinner as you wish. If planning on making salsa or fruit salad, dice it into small pieces. 

Slices or Halves

If you want to make ring slices then the cutting method is a little different. Follow step 1 and 2 but instead of cutting in half, slice it width-wise, into circles. Then, use a cookie cuter that is about 1 or 1 1/2 inches in diameter to cut out the core from each slice. 

Cut each ring in half if you wish to create ring halves.

STORING INSTRUCTIONS

Whole pineapple

You don’t have to cut the pineapple the second you bring in from the store but try to do it within a day or two. It will be just fine left on the counter for a day but if you want to keep it longer, store it in the refrigerator. You can keep the pineapple in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before cutting.

Sliced pineapple

You should store cut pineapple in the refrigerator right away. Place slices or chunks of freshly cut fruit into an air-tight food storage container and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days. 

HOW TO SERVE FRESH PINEAPPLE

Like I mentioned earlier, the possibilities are virtually endless because it’s great in sweet and savory recipes. 

Savory:

Add diced pineapple to teriyaki sauce and make chicken teriyaki with it. 

Pineapple Grilled Chicken Kebabs are wonderful as an easy grilled dinner. 

Add it to various fish tacos or chicken tacos for a sweet and juicy burst of flavor. 

Sweet:

Make tropical fruit salad or add it to the classic fruit salad. 

Fruit salsa is wonderful with some diced fresh pineapple added.