Mmmm. Can't wait for the awesome Summer fruit bonanza! Watermelons, pineapples, strawberries, peaches, oranges! :D

Silver_Back

I got a "Vacu Vin Pineapple Easy Slicer" just a couple of weeks back, and I've got say that pineapple slicing is now so delightfully easy! It cores and slices, all in one easy device. Here it is on Amazon:
[www.amazon.com]

c2d

While reading this I stumled upon the funniest post I have seen in a long time. [kotaku.com] Other than the colour yellow there is not relation to pineapples.

Duane

...expensive (for moderate-climate buyers, anyway)

My family in Hawaii tells me the big producers charge them even more. Sugar is sent to the mainland for processing and them shipped back so it is even more expensive.

pjarchrn

The interwebs are getting frightening. I just bought a pineapple the other day and was wondering how I was supposed to cut it up...

saffyre9

Remembers me of the xkcd-diagram on fruit difficulties: [xkcd.com]

With Pineapple out of the way, what's next? Maybe pomegranates?

Florian.Arendt

Lol, nice Kevin. The last thing in the world I was expecting from Lifehacker. I actually differ on pineapple cutting methodology myself, mostly because I cut my pineapple into pieces instead of rings.

I cut it into quarters, skin it, and then cut down the one pointy edge to remove the remnants of the core. Then I can dice my pineapple up however I want it. The main advantage is that you don't have to cut circles in the middle of all the rings to remove the core. You can remove the core in 4 cuts down each of the quarters. Very quick and easy.

mhenry

Episode 4 of the Produce Picker Covered this a while back.
Look Here:

[producepickerpodcas.blip.tv]

DeadPenguin

@Silver_Back: My mom got me one of these and it is unbelievable. Highly, highly recommended if you like pineapple!

Gomerboy

Thats *not* the right way to cut pineapple. That method wastes a lot of the fruit.

This is the correct way to cut a pineapple:

[maona.net]

balls187++

Cut a Pineapple With Confidence? Wow. I'm not sure I've ever Apprehensively Cut a Pineapple. However, now all I need to learn is Public Speaking With Confidence, and I'll be all set. :)

LastVigilante

@balls187++: I agree. The way your site describes is the way they do it in Thailand also.

gwmccull

@Florian.Arendt: here you go![producepickerpodcas.blip.tv]

neal whitehouse piper | whiper

Just use an ordinariy kitchen knife ;)

dota175

@balls187++: I live in Hawaii (where pineapples are more expensive than moderate-climate buyers, since well, everything is more expensive here due to excessive transportation out of state, then back in) and thats how I cut pineapples as well. Its the least wasteful, and simplest way to do it. And I've cut alot of pineapples, since I have friends who have grew them.

Lazarus

Totally off topic, but does anyone know if Lifehacker and its sister sites use a standard template/theme for wordpress or other blogging app?

I have searched all over for an answer and have finally come to the source.

xrobevansx

Hate to disagree here, but if you have to cut the center of the pineapple out then you're not getting very good pineapple. The center ring is actually the sweetest part of the pineapple and if its really good (like, say the pineapple from Northeastern Brazil) then you should be able to eat the whole thing (sans the pinecone-like skin of course).

Pineapple factoid of the day for you:
Once picked, a pineapple will no longer continue to produce any sugar (from stored starch) - so any efforts to let it ripen wont get you a sweeter fruit, but maybe a little softer.

Christopher

@Christopher: The core of the Pineapple isn't very good, actually I feel the flavor kind of sour, not to mention you mouth feels like burning after a couple minutes...

VakeroRokero

aw man, you've still gotta use knives? I thought this was about how to cut the pineapple with some jedi power of the mind

trstn

how come lifehacker always has a post about what I needed to know YESTERDAY...

Keep up the good work

haimtime

@haimtime: Because they are watching you.

Lazarus

@c2d: Ah Ah Ah! Remember what Master Alton Brown says about unitaskers in the kitchen! Can that thing core anything else? ;)

Seriously though - i think the key here, like in lots of things, is confidence! If you grab that knife and you know in your head what you should be doing, the only thing stopping you is either a lack of motor skills or a lack of confidence. :D

phoenix

@gwmccull: Yep, my mom is from Malaysia and that is the way she taught me.

@Lazarus: Plus it looks way cool when you're done :)

balls187++

I cut pineapples like I cut apples, which have a similar construction. It's less work than the linked instructable, and similar to the maona.net link but eliminates the core. It's also MUCH safer since it follows the chef's rule of the food always having a flat surface down, for stability. And you only need a chef's knife.

Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Put the pineapple bottom (flat) side down.

Starting at the top, "peel" the pineapple by starting at the top edge and cutting strips of the outer peel off, following the contour of the pineapple, and rotating the pineapple after each cut. Cut out eyes either with the "v technique" or with a paring knife, or however you cut out potato blemishes.

Look at the top of the pineapple; you'll see the fibrous core. Position your knife across the top of the pineapple so the blade just touches one edge of (is tangential to) the core. Cut down through the pineapple, liberating 40% of it.

Turn the pineapple 90 degrees and repeat. Do this 3 more times until you have four pieces of core-less flesh (they will be different shapes) and the core encased in a square brick created by the 4 cuts.

Cube the fleshy parts. Use whatever technique you want to make the cubes evenly sized.

Like I said, you can use the same technique with an apple when you want slices, sticks or cubes (although it's easier to use a vegetable peeler if you want to remove the skin)

Here's a bonus technique, for a melon.

Cut melon in half along its equator, so the stem part is in the middle of one of the half spheres. Scoop out the seeds and discard.

Put a melon half flat-side down. Holding your knife parallel to the cutting surface, carefully slice the top of the globe off, so the top of the globe is flat. Cut off enough so you can see some flesh.

Now start cutting off the rind in strips from the top of the melon at the edge of your original slice, to the cutting board, following the contours of the melon. Cut as many strips as you need. Fewer strips = less time and less flesh.

Repeat with other melon half.

rogerkaplan

Man, when I go to [www.howtocutapineapple.com] I keep getting forwarded to [www.howtoacquiremorebandwidth.com] Strange.

jcpatella

rogerkaplan's method is the same one I use. A ripe pineapple is slick dudes! It's good to have a flat surface on the board for stability.

I also use this method for fruit like kiwi, and it works great for oranges and grapefruit, especially if you'll be putting the wedges into salads.

appleturnover

There is a super easy way to cut pineapples and watermelons both:

1) Get an electric knife. The $19 Black & Decker one works great!

2) Take your fruit and (for pineapple) cut the bottom ½" off. (For watermelon, about 1" off of one end.) This makes it stand up on its own.

3) Stand the fruit up and cut the top/other end off.

4) Go around the fruit cutting strips off the sides.

5) Cut up the inside as you like.

Takes maybe 30 seconds. :)

JaimeZX

A comment from the topics where these things are cheap: the best part is the thick ring about a third of the way up from the bottom. We give the rest to the street urchins that always follow any gringo. (If that seems cold, we do other things, too, but eat that third of the pineapple and give the rest away, amigos). PS: it's better grilled, as Monsiur Maillaird proved long ago

jimboo

@c2d:

I too have a pineapple corer and I have to say, it's one of the best and cheapest inventions I've ever come across. A pineapple is bought and eaten every single week in my house, purely because of it.

mart0n_

[farm3.static.flickr.com]

Here's another way to prepare a pineapple and more fun to me. This is what I learned growing up in the Philippines...or buying it already prepared from the grocery is good, too. ;p

SarahSprinkles

And then you grill it right? Yum.

aggiezoe

This is so useful! You wouldn't believe how many times I've cut a pineapple but have either nearly cut myself or making the pineapple chunk look horrible and horrible looking food is less appetizing! Thank you for bringing this to my attention *Bookmarks

yotta