The Pineapple

On a whim, I'd decided to purchase a large pineapple from a local supermarket. I'd never really tried pineapple in its own rite, though I am of course familiar with its flavor. The first obstacle we encountered was the stubborn form of the pineapple, which would not reveal its fruit without a fight. Much fruit was wasted the first few times we slaughtered a pineapple, but we quickly developed a skill for preserving it. Perhaps the most obvious characteristic of the pineapple was its extreme juiciness. Cutting a pineapple invariably inundated the work area with the acidic, sweet smelling liquid. After the messy task of cutting was completed, we were left with several ring-shaped pieces. The first bite into the pineapple flesh could only be described as a explosion of sweet, delicious flavor quite unlike any other fruit we've tasted. Needless to say, the rest of the fruit did not last long on our plate. Eat bite brings with it so much juice that it almost seems as though eating pineapple is a hydrating experience. The ambrosial taste is best described as cool, sweet, and refreshing and cannot be compared to any other fruit. The texture of the flesh is somewhat awkward and stringy, but the taste more than makes up for this fact. Riper, more mature pineapples have a softer, more pleasant texture and are even sweeter and more delicious.

Notes:

• Pineapples do not truly ripen after being picked, so only ripe ones should be purchased.
• Ripe pineapples will have a golden color to them, will give slightly to pressure, and have a strong, pleasant aroma.
• Pineapples cook wonderfully and can be enjoyed on pizza and in many other meals. Pineapple juice is used as a meat tenderizer because it contains enzymes which break down protein.
• To cut: Remove leaves. Remove 1 inch section from the top and bottom of pineapple. Cut along the sides to remove skin, cutting deep enough to remove all seeds. Cut the cylinder into circular slices. The core can be removed with a knife, or cubes of fruit may be taken from around it.

-Anthony