How to Peel and Core a Pineapple

There are few fruits as versatile, broadly appreciated and utterly intimidating as the pineapple. But like other hard-to-get-at delicacies, a little determination and some instructions make all the difference. And once you taste that first bite of fresh pineapple, you'll know the effort was worth it. Right-handed directions follow. Simply reverse them if you favor your left hand.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pineapple
• Cutting board
• Paper towels
• Sharp chef's knife
• Paring knife or vegetable peeler

1. Lay the pineapple on its side on a cutting board. If you wish, you can put a few folded paper towels underneath it to help stabilize it and keep it from rolling as you cut it. Holding the pineapple steady with your left hand, cut off the spiky green crown along with approximately the first 1/2 inch of the pineapple. Then, turn the pineapple and cut 1/2 inch off the bottom.

2. Remove the paper towels and stand the pineapple up on its base to continue. Begin cutting off the peel vertically, down the sides of the pineapple. Cut just enough to remove the eyes so that you don’t have brown spots all over the pineapple. Try not to cut too deeply into the fruit itself. Any remaining spots can be removed with the tip of a paring knife or a vegetable peeler.

3. Once the skin and any remaining eyes are removed, lay the pineapple on its side on the cutting board. You are now ready to proceed with the cutting.

4. For rings, cut the pineapple into slices as thick as desired. To remove the core from the slices, lay each slice on the cutting board and cut out the circular core from the center with a paring knife.

5. For pineapple chunks, cut the pineapple into quarters lengthwise. Remove the core from the “corner” of each quarter. Proceed by cutting the pineapple into chunks.

Tips & Warnings

• Pineapples do not ripen after harvest, so choose your fruit with care. Select pineapples that look and smell fresh and ripe and avoid those with brown leaves, bruises, or soft spots.