One of the most popular fruits is the pineapple, and for good reason. Pineapple is a tasty fruit that can be a great snack for any occasion, especially when it is fresh. But one of the setbacks that make people shy away from fresh pineapple is the hassle of cutting it up. The tough exterior can be hard to deal with if you haven’t worked with it very often.
But there’s good news, cutting pineapple may have been hard for you in the past because you haven’t tried one of the easiest ways to cut a pineapple. There is actually a very simple method that will make you surprised at just how easy it is to cut a pineapple. Using the easiest way to cut a pineapple and other pineapple-cutting techniques will make you fall in love with pineapple even more. These tips will also explain how to cut a fresh pineapple for different styles of dishes. If you are ready to learn the proper way to cut up a pineapple, read on for easy instructions and tips.
How to Pick the Perfect Pineapple
One of the first steps to cutting a pineapple the proper way is to pick the perfect one. When looking for a fresh pineapple, follow these steps:
- Look for a crown that is a vibrant green color
- Give the fruit a whiff; it should have a sweet, fragrant smell.
- The color of the pineapple should be a healthy yellow color.
- Check that the rind is firm but will yield to a soft push of the finger.
How to Cut A Pineapple
1. Cut off the ends.
The best way to cut a pineapple is to start with removing the ends. Start about an inch from the bottom and an inch from the top and cut each end. But wait! Don’t toss out that pineapple crown. You can use it as a fruit platter centerpiece, or plant it during warmer weather and watch it grow in your garden.
2. Slice off the sides.
Do you want to know how to peel a pineapple in the easiest way? — Simply trim off all of the sides. Balance the pineapple on the bottom and slice from top to bottom. Cut following the natural grooves of the fruit, and remove the rind in small strips. Another tip: keep the rind strips, cut them into smaller pieces, and let them simmer in water for 20 minutes. Strain, add in some sweetener, and you have the perfect pineapple tea.
3. Dig out the “eyes.”
The eyes of the pineapple may seem like they are just randomly spotted around, but they actually follow lines diagonally around the fruit. You can cut out the eyes in lines along the pattern. This will make removing the eyes easier, and also make your fruit look more pleasing to the eye.
4. Take out the pineapple core.
Taking out the pineapple core is a lot easier if you approach it in sections. Do this by cutting the pineapple in half, starting from the top. Then slice the fruit again into four quarter pieces. Once you have your quarters, cut the core from each piece.
How to Slice A Pineapple
Once your pineapple has been cut and you’ve removed the rind, now it’s time to learn how to slice up your pineapple. There are several different ways you can slice up your pineapple based on the dish. This will ensure that you have a beautiful display no matter the recipe or occasion you are preparing for.
Grilled Pineapple: to make the perfect strips for the grill, you want longer pieces. Try cutting the quarters into two or three pieces, cutting longwise.
Fruit Salads: For fruit salads, the best way to cut a pineapple is to have smaller pieces. Cut your quarter strips into mini bite-sized pieces.
Pineapple rings: the proper way to cut a pineapple for the ring effect will require you to change up the process a bit. Instead of cutting your pineapple into quarter strips, you will change the steps after you peel your pineapple column. Put the pineapple on its side and begin cutting it into round circular pieces. Use a cookie cutter to remove the inner core from each piece.