Description
Learn how to cut a fresh pineapple into various shapes including wedges, spears, chunks, dice, and rings with this step-by-step guide. This beginner-friendly method helps you peel and remove the core efficiently, ensuring you enjoy every juicy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple
Instructions
- Wash: Scrub the pineapple with a vegetable brush under a light stream of running water to remove any dirt and residues from the outer skin.
- Trim: Place the pineapple on its side on a large cutting board and trim off the top (crown) and bottom using a large, sharp knife to create stable ends for easier peeling.
- Peel: Stand the pineapple upright on its trimmed bottom. Slice off the skin from top to bottom in strips, following the curved shape closely to preserve as much fruit as possible. Inspect and trim any remaining patches of skin at the bottom.
- Clean up pineapple eyes: Look for small, hard, brown spots (pineapple eyes) scattered over the fruit. Remove each by cutting them out with a pointy paring knife. Discard all trimmed pieces and sanitize your knife and cutting board with clean paper towels.
- Cut into wedges, spears, chunks, or dice: Place the pineapple upright again and cut it into quarters vertically through the core. Remove and discard or save the tough core from each quarter for smoothies. For spears, cut each quarter in half across, then halve again lengthwise. For wedges or slices, simply slice the quarters across. For chunks, cut each quarter into three lengthwise parts, then dice across. For small dice, first cut wedges, halve them, then dice across.
- Cut into rings: Lay the peeled and cleaned pineapple on its side and slice into rounds of desired thickness. Use a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, or small paring knife to remove the central core from each ring.
Notes
- Use a sharp, sturdy knife to ensure clean cuts and safer handling.
- The pineapple core is edible but tougher; consider saving it for blending into smoothies.
- Follow the fruit’s curve when peeling to minimize wasted flesh.
- Cleaning the pineapple eyes thoroughly improves texture and eating experience.
- Adjust slice thickness depending on your intended use, such as grilling, snacking, or cooking.
