How to Core a Pineapple Like a Boss

Follow this simple, step-by-step guide and you'll know how to cut a pineapple in no time. Find out how to cut a pineapple into rings, cubes, or wedges so you can use it all Summer long in your favorite recipes. The versatility of this tropical fruit means it can be used in a wide variety of ways, including as a snack on its own or in savory and sweet dishes, desserts, salsa, sauces, and more.

Pineapples are rough, tough, and prickly, which can make peeling and slicing them seem daunting. On the other hand, it's actually quite easy.

All you need is a pineapple, five minutes, and a sharp knife.

Follow this easy, step-by-step guide, and you'll be able to Before you know it, you'll be an old pro.

There are countless ways to enjoy freshly prepared pineapple.

Use the sweet tropical fruit as a refreshing snack or ingredient in your favorite dishes. Creamy Pia Coladas and Pineapple Smoothies are just the beginning of the delicious ways that pineapple can be used; savory dishes like this Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken are another favorite.

Before you begin, however, you should check to see if your pineapple is ripe enough to cut.

The best time to buy a pineapple is between March and July, but they are available all year.

A ripe pineapple will have the right color, texture, and aroma for eating.

• Seek out a warm, yellow color. The pineapple should be picked before it becomes too green; otherwise, it will be tough. However, it shouldn't be too ripe, appearing orange or brown.
• Try squeezing the pineapple softly; a ripe pineapple will yield just a little. When something is hard, it is unripe.
• Sniff the aroma and see what you think. A pleasantly sweet scent will waft from ripe pineapples.

Methodically Dissecting a Pineapple

First, lop off both ends.

The pineapple should be halved lengthwise and the top and bottom sliced off with a sharp chef's knife. One inch should be snipped off each end, but no more than half an inch.

Two, remove excess skin

The tough, outer layer must be peeled off. Put the pineapple down, flat side up, on the cutting board.

Begin at the crown and insert the knife into the pineapple flesh just below the pokey skin. Make a downward motioning cut following the shape of the fruit's curve, making sure to keep the knife firmly embedded in the fruit as you work.

If you want to remove the skin from the entire pineapple, you'll need to turn the fruit and repeat the process all the way around.

You should make a serious incision in the flesh to get rid of those ugly black eyes. In case there is still some left, there is no cause for alarm. That's what the next section is for.

Third, get rid of the shadowy eyes.

Remove any remaining skin with a paring knife. Even though the dark eyes are edible, it's best to cut them out before eating.

Four, remove the middle section The Two Methods

For cubes, wedges, and rods, use Method 1.

1. Slicing the pineapple in half Place the pineapple, flat side down, on the cutting board. Create a horizontal slit down the length of the pineapple with a sharp knife. (see above, step 1)
2. Split it in half, then cut it in half again. Cut the two halves in half lengthwise to make four quarters. As stated in (the aforementioned) Step 2,
3. You can get rid of the center by cutting it out at an angle. Find the lighter yellow center of each wedge; they are located in the vertical plane. To separate the flesh from the fruit, cut about a half-inch slit into it. (see above, step 3)
4. Separate into cubes or sticks. The resulting pineapple cubes or sticks can be used in a variety of ways, including as an ingredient in a variety of recipes or simply as a tasty snack. This is what we mean by "step 4" above:

Approach 2: Pineapple-shaped rings

1. Slice the pineapple into quarter-inch thick pieces. For recipes like pineapple upside down cake, thin slices are preferable, while thicker slices are better for snacking. (see the first step above)
2. Cookie cutter method for removing the center core For optimal results, use a one-inch cookie cutter. A small, pointed shot glass can also do the trick. And if all else fails, a small paring knife will do the trick. Second, as mentioned in the previous section,

Storage

If you peel and core a fresh pineapple, you should get about 4 cups of diced pineapple. Keep it refrigerated if you don't plan on eating it all right away.

To keep fresh cut pineapple fresh in the fridge for up to seven days, just make sure to store it in an airtight container.

Frozen food can be stored for much longer periods of time. Pre-freeze for three to four hours on a sheet pan lined with wax paper. Then you can store it for up to four to six months in a gallon-sized bag in the freezer.

FAQs

Suggestions from the Experts

• Pick one that is at the peak of ripeness. If you want to eat a pineapple, wait until it's in season. You want a fruit with a golden yellow skin that gives a little when you squeeze it, and a sweet aroma.
• Remove some flabby skin. The first time you trim away the skin, try to get rid of all the eyes. Even though you'll waste some pineapple in the process, you'll still save a lot of time.
• Keep it in the freezer for later use. In its peak season, pineapple has a sweet, juicy flavor. Put it in freezer containers and use it all year long in your favorite recipes.
• Get out the cookie cutter! Pineapple rings can be easily removed from the core with a small cookie cutter.
• Lessen your environmental footprint by wasting less The center is edible and nutritious, but it's not very sweet and is quite hard. Put it aside to use in blended drinks.

Recipes Using Fresh Pineapples

It's possible to use fresh pineapple in almost any recipe that calls for canned pineapple. By replacing sugar with fresh pineapple, your dishes will have a subtle, delicious sweetness. The following dishes all benefit from the addition of fresh pineapple.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

1. Remove the pineapple's crown and base using a sharp chef's knife.
2. Prepare a cutting board by laying the pineapple down, flat side up. Insert the knife into the pineapple's flesh just beneath the skin's surface, working your way down from the top. The pineapple's skin can be removed by making a downward cut along the fruit's curve while keeping the knife completely inserted into the flesh.
3. Spin the fruit around and repeat this process all the way around the rind until it is gone.
4. Using a paring knife, cut away any remaining "dark eyes" of skin.

To make a ring, take out the center and discard it.

1. Slice the pineapple to be about 3/4 of an inch thick.
2. Each slice should be cut with a 1-inch round cookie cutter and the center removed. Alternatively, you can use a paring knife to remove it.

You can get rid of the center of a cube or wedge by following these steps.

1. Cut the pineapple in half, keeping the flat side down. Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again to make 4 wedges.
2. The pineapple should be cut into wedges, with the core removed at an angle about an inch into the fruit.
3. Slice or cube the pineapple. Enjoy

• Half a cup of chopped pineapple is considered one serving.
• On average, you can get 4 cups of diced pineapple from a fresh pineapple after peeling and coring it.
• Storage 

• Keep fresh pineapple slices in the fridge for up to seven days after cutting them.
• For longer preservation, you can also freeze it. Spread out on a sheet pan covered in wax paper and freeze for three to four hours. Then, you can store it for up to four to six months in a gallon bag in the freezer.

Suggestions from the Experts

• Choose a ripe one When the pineapples are in season, they taste the best. Find fruit with a golden yellow skin and a sweet aroma that gives slightly when squeezed.
• Remove some flabby skin. If at all possible, when trimming away the skin for the first time, you should try to get rid of all of the eyes. Saving a little bit of pineapple is worth the massive amount of time you'll gain.
• Put it in the freezer while it's still hot Pineapple has the best taste when it's in season. Put it in the freezer so you can use it in your favorite recipes all year long.
• The cookie cutter method A small cookie cutter is useful for removing the core of a pineapple before slicing it.
• Eliminate extraneous spending In spite of its nutritional value, the core is rarely consumed due to its unappealing hardness and lack of sweetness. Keep it for use in blended drinks.