In the summertime, there are few better fruits to snack on than a sweet, juicy pineapple. This refreshing tropical fruit may be tasty and versatile, but its large stem and thorny skin make it intimidating to slice and prepare at home. That’s why so many of us are willing to pay extra at the grocery store for pre-sliced, packaged pineapple.
Fortunately, it’s easier than you think to cut perfect, uniform pieces of pineapple right in your own kitchen. Here at The Cookie Cups, we’re all about teaching proper cooking and baking techniques, and that includes preparing the ingredients!
If you’re ready to start slicing your own pineapples at home, here is a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to cut a pineapple.
You’ll need:
- 1 pineapple
- A large, sturdy cutting board
- A sharpened chef’s knife
Step 1: Slice off the stem
You won’t need the pineapple’s stem or leaves, so feel free to discard this top part of the fruit.
Step 2: Slice off the bottom.
This creates a flat, even surface to make your next cut. Discard the bottom part you cut off.
Step 3: Make vertical cuts through the flesh and remove the core.
Rather than cutting horizontally through the pineapple’s tough, thorny outer layer, you can cut vertically through the top of the softer flesh to create two halves. Then, take each half and make two vertical cuts in the center (on a slight diagonal) to remove the core. Be sure to slice all the way through the outer layer of skin.
Step 4: Cut into slices.
After you make the cuts from Step 3, you will be left with four, long, triangular pieces of pineapple. Begin making horizontal cuts about one inch thick to create triangular slices. From there, you can carefully slice along the edge to remove the skin, or cut further into smaller pieces if desired.
How to use your pineapple
There are countless ways to enjoy your pineapple after you’ve cut it into slices. Here are a few of our favorite applications.
Serve as-is.
Plate your freshly-cut pineapple and eat it as a healthy, sweet treat. You can also mix it into a fruit salad or serve alongside other summery fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon.
Turn it into a savory dish.
It may be sweet, but pineapple plays really well with savory ingredients! Try it in fried rice, salsa, pork tacos, or one of these other savory pineapple recipes.
Grill it.
We love grilling with fruit, and pineapple is one of the most popular fruits to add to a barbecue menu. Skewer them with cubed chicken or pork and bell peppers for a Hawaiian-inspired kabobs, or brush them with brown sugar and cinnamon for an irresistible caramelized dessert.
Bake it into a cake.
Who doesn’t love a good pineapple upside down cake? Grab your sliced pineapple, your favorite boxed yellow cake mix, butter, eggs, brown sugar, and some maraschino cherries to whip up this classic dessert.
Mix up some cocktails (or mocktails).
Many classic mixed drinks call for pineapple juice, including the Bahama Mama, the Painkiller, the Hurricane, and of course, the Piña Colada. Use your pineapple slices as a festive garnish for these delicious beverages at your next party.
Blend it into a smoothie.
Looking for a slightly healthier beverage? Pineapple is an excellent smoothie ingredient. Throw your slices into the blender with a frozen banana, ice cubes, and a splash of milk or pineapple juice for a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Want more hands-on cooking instruction from the pros? Sign up for one of our cooking classes at The Cookie Cups. Get in touch with us or stop by the store to reserve your seat for an upcoming class!