Pineapple

How to select

Pineapples are picked when ripe and ready to eat. Choose one that feels heavy for its size, has a fruity aroma and crisp, dark green leaves. Avoid dry-looking leaves and soft or dark spots.

How to prepare

• Clean the pineapple under running water with a produce brush. 
• Cut the crown and stem ends off the pineapple. 
• With the pineapple standing on one end, cut the skin off in strips. 
• Cut the pineapple into four pieces to separate the fruit from the core.

How to store

Eat soon after purchase and within three days of cutting for the best flavor.

Peak season

Spring, fall and winter

Ways to use

• Mix pineapples and cottage cheese together for a sweet and salty snack.
• Enjoy sweet pineapple slices hot off the grill as a side dish, burger topping or dessert.
• Try pineapple in a stir fry for some added zest.
• Make pineapple popsicles by stacking pineapple on kabobs for a kid-friendly snack.
• Use pineapple to create your own fresh salsa or Hawaiian pizza.

Fun facts

• Pineapple crowns were placed outside the entrance of Caribbean homes to symbolize hospitality and friendship.
• Pineapples are a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core.
• A pineapple plant will only produce one pineapple each growing season.
• Pineapples were named by explorers who thought it resembled a pinecone.

Nutrition info and facts

Pineapples are high in vitamin C, which helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Pineapples support muscle and bone health due to their high manganese content. Pineapples may reduce joint inflammation.

1 cup pineapple chunks = 83 calories, 22 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 88% DV vitamin C (79 mg), 109% DV (women) & 66% DV (men) manganese, 20% DV copper