Fresh pineapple is one of the most delicious fruits you can find. I love this fruit because it is tangy and sweet at the same time, and it goes very well with savory dishes as well as desserts.
While canned pineapple can be a good substitute for fresh pineapple in some recipes, fresh pineapple has a much richer taste and texture, which is superior to canned pineapple.
When pineapples are on sale and in season, I have gotten into the habit of buying up as many pineapples as I can in order to freeze them for later use.
To take advantage of this amazing fruit, I wanted to give you the knowledge on how to freeze pineapple, as well, so you can make use of it without breaking the bank.
What Should Pineapples Cost?
I’ve been taking advantage of the sale on pineapple at Aldi for the past couple of weeks for just $1.49 each! Is pineapple a good deal when you can get it for a good price?
In fact, prices vary between regions, and northern regions are likely to have higher prices since it has to travel more, but for me, anything below $2/pineapple is a great deal.
You will also want to make sure that you are always paying attention to whether the pricing is based on per pound or per item.
The average pineapple weighs between 3 and 4 pounds, so it would be a bit pricey to charge $1.49 per pound, wouldn’t it?
When is Pineapple Season?
Pineapples are grown in many different varieties around the world and have different growing seasons, which makes pineapple readily available almost all year long.
My favorite time of year to find the best deals is from late spring until mid-summer when the most common variety is called the “cayenne.”
How to Identify Ripe Pineapple
The pineapples you should look for should smell sweet, but they shouldn’t smell fermented. It is important that they are slightly give when squeezed, but they shouldn’t be too squishy soft.
In the United States, the most popular variety of pineapple is the Casyenne pineapple. Cayenne pineapples start off green in color, and as they ripen, they will begin to change from green to golden yellow in color.
Pineapples are different in the stages of ripeness and sweetness. I prefer mine a little tart if they are mostly green on top and only yellow on the bottom.
In general, pineapples that are brown and past their prime have probably reached the end of their shelf life. Pineapples’ spiky leaves should always be green and firm, regardless of when they are picked.
What to Do with Fresh Pineapple
Using fresh pineapple in a variety of delicious ways could keep me busy for days. The obvious is that pineapple is great for snacking on its own. However, here are a few other ways to enjoy it:
- Coconut Jerk Peas with Pineapple Salsa
- Pineapple Orange Julius
- Easy Pineapple Salsa
- Jerk Chicken Pineapple Black Bean Salsa
- Pineapple Sriracha Breakfast Bowls
How to Cut a Pineapple – Step by Step Photos
It is possible to cut pineapple in a variety of ways, but I have included step-by-step instructions for my preferred method.
You can use this method to make pineapple chunks or spears, and it is fast and easy to do. A whole pineapple can be cut in about five minutes using this method.
Note: While cutting your pineapple, please be very careful about where you place your fingers at all times. Pineapple juice is quite slippery, so be very careful where you place your fingers.
STEP 1: Pineapple tops and bottoms should be cut off. By doing this, you remove the stem end and the leaves from the pineapple as well as form a stable, flat base with which the rest of the cuts will be made.
STEP 2: As soon as the pineapple is stood on its widest end, slices should be made, following the curve of the pineapple, from the top down, to remove the spiny skin.
For you to remove the spines, you will need to cut them off 1/4 to 1/2-inch deep, depending on how deep your slice is.
Do not worry if some spines still remain, because hand trimming can be done if there are any remaining. It is important not to cut too deeply into the pineapple, or else you are likely to lose too much of this precious fruit.
STEP 3: The pineapple should be standing on end after the skin has been removed, and then cut into quarters lengthwise once the skin has been removed.
In the center, you can see a visible core. In the next step, you will slice the core off each piece, so keep track of how deep it extends.
STEP 4: Each pineapple piece needs to be sliced off of the core, which is very fibrous and tough. Alternatively, you can lay the pineapple quarter on its side for more stability, and cut the center point off that way.
Either way, keep the pineapple quarter standing on end and slice downward. In most cases, only a half-inch or so will need to be removed.
STEP 5: After peeling and coring the pineapple quarters, you have four quarters ready for use. Depending on your preference, you can either chop them up into chunks or slice them lengthwise into spears.
To chunk them, divide each piece lengthwise into three or four strips, then cut each strip into chunks crosswise. If you want to use the pineapple chunks later, you can freeze them.
The Right Way to Freeze Pineapple
Half of the pineapple that I cut up for snacking is usually kept in the fridge, and the other half is usually frozen for later use. You can freeze fresh pineapple using this super simple method.
Lay out the fresh pineapple chunks on a baking sheet, making sure they are not touching one another, before lining it with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
In order to freeze pineapple pieces individually, you need to spread them out on the baking sheet first instead of freezing them into one giant chunk of ice.
In order to store the pineapples, place them in an airtight container once they have frozen solid. To ensure you don’t forget what you have and when you last frozen your pineapple, always label and date it.
Any container that is freezer-safe will do, and I like to use zip-top freezer bags. A great way to reduce food waste is to use reusable silicone food storage bags.
What Is the Yield of One Pineapple?
Although pineapples come in different sizes, I got probably 4-5 cups of pineapple chunks from my medium pineapple.
This is about the same amount of frozen pineapple as you would find in two store-bought bags. The whole package is only $1.49! Five minutes of chopping are totally worth it.
How Long Should You Keep Frozen Pineapple?
If I want to maintain the best quality of my frozen goods, I try to consume them within three months, but pineapple is one of the few that lasts exceptionally long.
ELEVEN MONTHS after freezing, I just used frozen pineapple that still tasted great. The flavor and texture were still great, despite a few ice crystals developing. The longer a pineapple is frozen, the more likely it will become white, dry, or shriveled.
