Cutting up a pineapple, you say? Well, yes I am because I just bet you may have been sitting there on proverbial pins and needles trying to figure out just how to do that. Right?

No, you don’t use one of those fancy-smancy circle cutters with a hole in the middle to do it either. Unless, of course, you just get your kicks out of hurting yourself something fierce. Or you don’t have anything better to do with the next 72 hours of your life. Or you’re just weird that way.

Me, I’m a slice it and hack it girl. I figured out a looooonnnngggg time ago that pineapple tastes the same whether it’s in a circle or a cube. So I pick the easy way to get to the final product which, in case you’re wondering, is a big ole bite of fresh pineapple.

I have to confess that this method is not original with me. On one of our trips to Hawaii, I actually asked someone at one of the pineapple plantations to show me the best way to do it—like he would do it at home.

You can find lots of variations more fancy than this one, but this one works!

STEP ONE. Choose a healthy pineapple. Depending upon when you need it, you may want to select one that is already showing a little yellow. The key is a LITTLE YELLOW. I try to choose one a few days before it is needed and is still firm and with very little yellow showing.

Try this trick: Pull on the center leaf of the crown.  If it gives easily, the pineapple is ripe. If it hangs in there, let it ripen a day or two and try again.

STEP TWO. Whack off the top! If you’re so inclined, you can actually root that top and create a new plant. If you have more patience than I, that is. It also makes a nice addition to the compost pile.

Whack off the bottom as well.

STEP THREE.   Now cut the pineapple in half. Then in quarters.

STEP FOUR. Take your sharp chef’s knife and make a thin cut along the inner edge of the skin. Discard that outer skin to the compost pile as well.

STEP FIVE. Cut off the core, that center piece that is obviously tougher than the rest. It’s really too tough to chew, but you can try if you want.

STEP SIX.  I usually cut the quarters in half again and then slice unless I’m using the pieces for kabobs when I really want those larger pieces.  You can also cut large slices and grill them for a nice dessert.

Petit Jean Meats Sriracha Glazed Ham and Pineapple Kabobs

Cut pineapple will keep in the refrigerator 3-4 days.  After that, if any should remain, I freeze it in a single layer, bag it and use it for smoothies later.

Just think. You didn’t have to go all the way to Hawaii to get these awesome tips. (You aren’t snarling at me, are you?)