When your dinner entrée features bursts of juicy, sweet pineapple, you’re enjoying a taste of the tropics, no matter where you call home. Here’s how to ensure meal prep starts with the freshest, sweetest pineapple possible. 

Is it Ripe? Pineapples do not ripen further after picking, so it’s important to select a ripe one. To tell whether a pineapple is ripe, turn it upside down and sniff the bottom. Select one with a sweet fragrance, golden near the base, and firm, but not too hard when squeezed. 

How to Sweeten an Uncut Pineapple. 

Did you know you can sweeten a pineapple before slicing it open? The secret to maximizing flavor is to keep whole pineapples at room temperature. Before slicing, turn the pineapple upside down and leave it overnight, as pictured below. The sugars in the bottom half of the fruit will circulate and sweeten the entire pineapple. 

And in case you’ve always wondered, the core is edible, packed with flavor and nutrients too. You can add the core to blender when making smoothies. Or freeze until ready to use. 

Before diving into a myriad of ways to enjoy the tasty tropical fruit, let’s consider its health benefits. 

Nutritional and Health Benefits 

•  High in vitamin C, and a reliable source of B vitamins, E, and K, and minerals. 
•  Enhances Digestion 
•  Reduces inflammation and thins mucus, helps relieve coughs, sinus infections, and bronchitis 

Now that you know some of the benefits of eating fresh pineapple, you’ll want to include it more often in your diet. 

Classic pineapple recipes, pineapple upside down cake, and baked ham and pineapple rings have been enjoyed for generations. Yet, there are so many other delicious ways to enjoy this tropical fruit. Toss pineapple tidbits in chicken salad, yogurt cups, add to fruit cobbler recipes and hummingbird cake, make pineapple salsa, cheese balls, sweet and sour stir fry, Hawaiian meatballs, and coleslaw. 

This summer, we’ve enjoyed pineapple in several entrees, at a local Mexican restaurant. My husband loves their burrito filled with chicken, onions, bell pepper, cilantro, and pineapple. And the pineapple menu entrée award goes to Piña de la Fiesta for flavor and presentation. It’s a fresh pineapple half, filled with grilled steak, chicken, shrimp, peppers, onions, bacon, and Oaxaca cheese served with rice, beans, salad, and tortillas. 

Grilling Fresh Pineapple 

In the summer, nothing beats food cooked on the grill, and pineapple is no exception. Grilling gives pineapple a wonderful, caramelized flavor. The tenderized, sweet, and subtle smoky flavor is a tasty treat to enjoy on its own or in a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Here’s three simple ways we’re enjoying pineapple fresh from the grill this month. 

• Slice fresh pineapple into thick rings or long, thick wedges/spears and grill for 2 to 3 minutes. 
• Brush melted butter mixed with cinnamon-sugar on pineapple during the grilling process for a quick and easy dessert. 
• Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp, Bell peppers, and Pineapple Skewers – Alternately thread large or jumbo shrimp, bell pepper wedges, and pineapple chunks on skewers. Place on a hot grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Brush your favorite sauce or marinade on both sides of the food. We chose a teriyaki sauce with pineapple juice in it to meld the tropical flavors. Serve skewers on a bed of rice tossed with teriyaki sauce or seasoned, cauliflower rice, if you prefer. (This entree is the feature blog photo. My husband, Lowell grilled this skewer meal on our Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker, pictured below.)

  

Here’s to Savoring a Taste of the Tropics, Fresh from the Grill,

By Deborah S. Tukua, author 

www.deborahstukua.com