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Summers have taken over, and this means the fruits that you consume range from mangoes, melons and pineapples and other hydartinh fruits you can think of. While chopping and cutting most of the fruits are easy, when it comes to cutting a pineapple, especially when you want those perfectly juicy cubes or rings, you realise you have no idea how to go through with it. You're not alone in this struggle; many are always scrolling the internet to get a better hang of cutting the pineapple and relishing it. It's not easy to handle a pineapple; even the most skilled can feel it cumbersome. With these pineapple cutting tips, you'll be able to go from market box to fruit bowl in no time. Before we get started on knife skills, let's talk about pineapple selections that start with keeping in mind that the pineapple season begins from March and goes on till July. choosing a nice one depends on how ripe it is when you buy it, since pineapples, unlike some other fruits, do not continue to ripen after being harvested, so choose wisely. Get that ripe, ready-to-eat tropical fruit into the kitchen and follow the step-by-step pineapple cutting instructions so that you can enjoy the fruit fully.
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Use A Chef’s Knife
Place the ripe pineapple on a clean cutting board on its side and use a well-knifed chef's knife, not a serrated knife, which may release too much liquid. With your other hand, hold the pineapple steady and slice downward about ¼ inches into the rind to remove the pineapple's spiky top, then, what you’ll do is spin the pineapple 180 degrees and cut off the bottom in the same way, being careful not to lose too much flesh on either side.
Gently Trim The Pineapple
You should now have a relatively clean, cylindrical pineapple, but let's give it a little trimming before moving on. Remove any "eyes," black areas, or sections of rind that remain with your paring knife. You won't want to eat them raw, but you may use them to make tepache, a Mexican fermented pineapple drink, together with the discarded rind and core.
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Cut Different Shapes
Keep the pineapple upright and move your knife to the outside edge of the core, the fibrous dark yellow circle that runs through the centre of the pineapple. Remove one large pineapple lobe by cutting straight down from top to bottom. Remove the lobe and set it aside. Slice down again after turning the pineapple a quarter turn, effectively cutting around the core. Turn the pineapple once more and repeat, then cut off the final piece with a knife. Four large portions of pineapple flesh, plus the rough core, should be available. Slice each primal pineapple into chunks, spikes, or wedges, one section at a time. If you're creating something like pineapple salsa, now is a good time to dice the pieces even more. After you've peeled the pineapple and removed any eyes, lay it on its side and start slicing it into circles.
Now that you know how easy it is to cut a pineapple safely, try these 4 easy Indian pineapple-infused recipes for the weekend:
Pineapple Pachadi
The pineapple is beautifully paired with coconut and green chillies and cooked until soft and tender, then coconut paste is added to the mixture. Adjust the consistency according to your liking. You can add yoghurt, too; adding yoghurt helps balance out the flavours. It is best served as a side dish with steamed rice and other South Indian delicacies like dosa or idlis.
Pineapple Chutney
Pineapple chutney is a delightful condiment that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours. Add pineapple and spices like ginger, garlic, and red chillies and cook it until desired consistency. Then, add vinegar to make it pop more. Pineapple chutney is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed with various dishes, from grilled meats and seafood to cheese platters and sandwiches.
Grilled Pineapple With Indian Spices
Try grilled pineapple with Indian spices, where you brush the pineapple with melted butter, honey, and garam masala or spice mix like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, before being grilled to perfection. The grill's heat caramelises the sugars, making a tasty charred exterior, and garam masala balances the sweetness and can be served as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or kebabs.
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Pineapple Fruit Chaat
Pineapple chaat is a very refreshing dish, and it is easy to make since all you need is diced pineapple with cucumber, tomatoes, and cilantro. You can also add various other vegetables you think will go well, like bell peppers, jalapenos, berries and more. Sprinkle in some chaat masala, cumin, coriander, and amchur or dried mango powder to it according to the level of spice you want.
