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If you’ve ever been intimidated by the prickly, seemingly impenetrable exterior of a pineapple, you’re not alone. Fear not, because I show you the best way to cut a pineapple and enjoy its sweet, juicy flesh that will add maximum flavor to your pineapple upside-down cake or pineapple glazed ham.
With practice and the right tools, you’ll be a pineapple slicing pro in no time!
Pick the perfect pineapple
Before I delve into how best to cut a pineapple, let’s first discuss how to choose the perfect pineapple. A ripe pineapple has a sweet aroma at the base, a golden yellow hue and a slightly soft skin. Avoid pineapples with moldy spots, dry leaves, or flesh that is too soft, as these are signs of spoiled or overripe fruit.
Remember that a ripe pineapple is essential to be able to enjoy its delicious flavor and texture!
To slice a pineapple like a pro, you’ll need a few essential tools:
- A large bowl or airtight container to store the sliced ​​fruit
Prepare your pineapple for cutting
Before you begin slicing a pineapple, give it a quick rinse under cold water to remove dirt and debris. Then place the pineapple on your cutting board and follow these steps:
- Cut off the top and bottom: Using your chef’s knife, cut off the top (leaves and crown) and bottom of the pineapple. This creates a stable base for the fruit and makes cutting and peeling much easier.
- Stand the pineapple upright: With the top and bottom removed, stand the pineapple on one of the flat ends for stability.
Peel your pineapple
Now that your pineapple is prepped and ready, it’s time to remove the tough outer skin. Here’s how:
- Grasp the pineapple firmly:Hold the pineapple with one hand to keep it secure on the cutting board.
- Cut open the skin: Using your chef’s knife, snip the sides of the pineapple, following its natural curve. Remove the peel in broad strips, working around the fruit. Be careful not to cut too deeply as you want to preserve as much juicy pulp as possible.
Remove the pineapple’s eyes
After peeling the pineapple, you’ll likely notice small, dark “eyes” scattered across the surface. These eyes are inedible and must be removed before a pineapple is sliced, chunked, or ringed. To remove them, do the following:
- Locate the eyes: Find the diagonal pattern in which the pineapple eyes are arranged.
- Cut a V-shaped groove: Use your paring knife to cut a small V-shaped groove around each eye, effectively removing it from the fruit. Continue this process until all eyes are removed.
Cut the pineapple into chunks or slices
Once your pineapple is peeled and eye-free, it’s time to cut it into the shapes you want. Here are two popular ways to cut a pineapple:
- Pineapple pieces, sticks or columns
- Halve the pineapple: Cut the upright pineapple in half from top to bottom, creating two equal halves.
- Slice each half: Lay each pineapple half flat and cut into long sticks or wedges. If you’re making something like a pineapple salsa, you can dice these pieces even smaller.
- Pineapple slices or rounds
- Set the pineapple aside: Start with the peeled pineapple lying horizontally on the cutting board and slice into thin circles, about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick.
- Remove the core: Using your paring knife, carefully cut out the tough, fibrous core from each pineapple slice. Now you have gorgeous, juicy pineapple slices or rounds!
Cut pineapple rings
If you want to shape pineapple rings out of your slices, just do the following:
- Select a segment: Working with one pineapple slice at a time, carefully remove the core from the center of the slice with your paring knife or a small round cookie cutter.
- Repeat: Continue this process with all the pineapple slices until you have a nice stack of pineapple rings. Enjoy them as a tasty snack or use them to garnish cocktails or decorate cakes!
Try a pineapple corer
While a knife and cutting board are essential for cutting a pineapple, a pineapple corer can make the task even easier and faster. This handy tool is especially useful if you frequently cut pineapples or want to use the pineapple bowl as a serving bowl or decorative vessel.
A quality pineapple corer makes scooping out the fruit easy, leaving perfectly formed pineapple rings or chunks. However, using a corer can result in some pineapple flesh being wasted around the edges. So if you aim for zero-waste pineapple chopping, you’d better use a knife.
Pineapple Hacks: Do They Actually Work?
You may have come across viral pineapple hacks on social media platforms like TikTok that show seemingly magical techniques for slicing a pineapple. While these hacks can be fun and sometimes effective, they’re not always the best way to cut up a pineapple.
For example, the popular “thwack and roll” method, which involves rolling the pineapple on a hard surface and tapping it before attempting to pluck individual spikes, can work if your pineapple is very ripe. However, this often results in a loss of juice and can be impractical for daily pineapple consumption. For a reliable and efficient method, I recommend you to follow the steps outlined in this guide.
How do I store a pineapple?
When your pineapple is expertly sliced ​​and ready to eat, it’s time to save and enjoy! To store your freshly cut pineapple, simply place the pieces in an airtight container or large bowl and refrigerate for up to 30 minutes 2-3 Days.
If you end up with more pineapples than you can consume in a few days, you can easily freeze them for later use. Simply place the pineapple chunks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until set, and place in a freezer bag. Frozen pineapple is perfect for smoothies, slushies, and even piña coladas!
The best ways to enjoy a freshly cut pineapple
The ways to enjoy your pineapple are endless! Enjoy the juicy pieces on their own, create a lively fruit salad or experiment with sweet and savory pineapple recipes.
Are you looking for unique and delicious meals to impress your guests and family? If so, try my absolute favorites:
Now that you know the best way to cut a pineapple, it’s time to put your skills to the test and enjoy the sweet, juicy rewards!