How to Prep and Cook with Fresh Pineapple

Take a recipe, any recipe, add pineapple, and presto! You’ve got a dish with sweet-tart tropical flavor that offers a hint of the exotic. From Hawaiian-style fried rice to a sunny cobbler, the following recipes show how the spiky, scaly fruit can make simple dishes taste special.

Nutritional Profile

1 cup raw pineapple chunks contains the following:

• 82 calories
• 2 g fiber
• 79 mg Vitamin C
• 180 mg potassium
• 1.5 mg manganese
• 30 mcg folate

Choose a Good One

1. LOOK:  A ripe pineapple is vibrantly colored and gold or bright yellow near the base. Scales should be uniformly sized. Deep green leaves are a sign of freshness; avoid fruit with brown, withered leaves, dark spots, or wrinkles.
2. TOUCH:  Gently squeeze the fruit to find one that is slightly yielding to the touch, not mushy, and feels heavy for its size.
3. SMELL: A ripe pineapple has an aromatic, subtly sweet smell. If it smells too sweet, there is a good chance the pineapple is past its prime and has begun to ferment.

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How to Prep a Pineapple

Cut off the top of the pineapple 1/2 inch below the crown, then slice off 1/2 inch from the bottom. Stand pineapple upright, and slice off the skin, working from top to bottom all the way around the fruit, making sure to remove the tough brown eyes. Quarter the pineapple lengthwise, then cut out the light-colored core. Cut the fruit into cubes, wedges, or slices according to the recipe.

Pineapple Types

While the pineapple family comprises more than 1,000 varieties, there are three cultivars you’re most likely to find in the United States:

• SMOOTH CAYENNE. Golden flesh, long leaves, and a sweet-tart flavor
• RED SPANISH. Brownish skin and pale, fibrous flesh
• GOLD BRIGHT.  Yellow, extra-sweet flesh and higher vitamin C content

Recipes featuring fresh pineapple:

• Hawaiian-Style Sweet-and-Sour Roasted Pineapple and Bell Peppers
• Mango and Pineapple Crumble
• Thai Green Bean Curry with Pineapple and Sweet Potatoes
• Pineapple, Cucumber, and Avocado Salsa
• Piña Colada Bars
• Goji Berry Sunrise Smoothie