Do you have to cut the middle out of a pineapple?
Cut out any leftover eyes individually with the knife tip. To core the pineapple, cut it lengthwise into quarters and then cut the core out of each quarter. If you want pineapple rings, cut the whole peeled pineapple into slices and then use a knife or small biscuit cutter to cut the core out of each slice.
How do you know if a pineapple is ripe?
A ripe pineapple should have a firm shell but be slightly soft with a bit of give when you squeeze it. Pineapples that are completely solid or hard when squeezed are unlikely to be fully ripe. Ripe pineapples should have a firm shell that is slightly soft when squeezed.
- Cut off the top of the pineapple.
- Run a knife in a circle around the inside of the pineapple 1/2 inch away from the skin.
- Once you’ve cut all the way around, cut the inside core (the part you want to remove) across twice (making 4 pieces).
- Use a big spoon to scoop out the inside.
David Nilsen is the former editor of Fourth & Sycamore. He is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. You can find more of his writing on his website at davidnilsenwriter.com and follow him on Twitter as @NilsenDavid.