How to Cut a Pineapple

Many people are afraid to buy whole pineapples, even though they are often a much better value than canned pineapple.  The simple reason why they pass on fresh is that they’re not sure how to cut up a pineapple.
It’s true: with its leaves and prickly skin, it’s hard to know where to start.  You can count on us to teach you how to cut a pineapple with this easy step-by-step guide.  We’ve even included a video demonstration at the very end for visual learners.

How do you cut a pineapple?

Materials: Large serrated knife, small paring knife, cutting board, vegetable peeler.
1.  Take off the top (the crown). Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to cut off the top; you can actually remove the top by hand.  Grasp the pineapple with one hand and the leaves with the other hand.  Twist the leaves clockwise and the entire top will come off.
2.  Cut off the bottom (the base). Lay the pineapple on its side and slice off the bottom.
3.  Skin it. Stand the pineapple up on its end and remove the skin by cutting downward.  Make “shaving” cuts around edge of the pineapple until the entire fruit is skinless.
4.  Remove any remaining pits of skin with a vegetable peeler. Either use the tip to pull them out, like removing eyes from potatoes, or use the blade to peel the remaining skin off.
5.  To make pineapple rings:

• Lay the pineapple on its side.
• Slice into rings of the desired thickness.
• Lay each ring flat on the cutting board.  Using a small knife, remove the core by cutting a small circle out of the middle.  Discard the core, since it’s too tough to eat.

6.  To make pineapple chunks:

• With the pineapple standing up on its end, slice down the middle to cut the pineapple into fourths.
• Cut the core out of each quarter with your knife.  If you have an apple corer, use it to “punch out” the core.  You can tell the core from the flesh because it is a slightly different color and has a hard, tough feeling.  Discard the core; it’s too tough to eat.
• Slice the remaining pineapple into bite-sized chunks.

7.  Refrigerate remaining pineapple in a food storage container.
 

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.