Fruit prep
Pineapple
Top and tail, cut the skin off in strips, remove the 'eyes' and core.
IntermediatePineapple
Peel and core
Lay the pineapple down; cut off the leafy crown and the base.
Stand it up and slice the skin off from top to bottom, following the curve.
Remove the brown eyes: cut shallow diagonal V-shaped grooves along the spiral lines, or dig them out with a paring knife tip.
Quarter lengthways and cut the hard core from each quarter.
Slice into wedges or chunks.
Tips
- A ripe pineapple smells sweet at the base; leaves pulling out easily is not a reliable sign.
Safety
- Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein — it can make the mouth tingle and stops gelatine from setting unless cooked.