I know, I know. You must be wondering if there is a proper way of cutting pineapples. Well, there are several ways to cut a pineapple, as there are many ways to skin a cat. The cutting method I refer to is the domestic way of cutting pineapples, Malaysian style. There is also a commercial or industrial way of cutting pineapples, either manually or with a machine, something that is like a lathe.
Today we are going to talk about the domestic way of cutting pineapples. Well, the fruit sellers in Asian countries cut it this way, too. But before we proceed, I must inform you that when I first came over here in the UK to visit friends, I was taken aback by my friend, who so proudly showed me how he cut his pineapple.
He proudly takes out his pineapple corer and proclaims that he can cut the pineapple fruit and make a hole in the centre for decoration or as a cocktail container as well. Then he cuts the top off the pineapple and starts to turn the corer into the pineapple. It does not look easy, as a bit of strength is required for this task. When he pushes the corer into the fruit… horror of horrors..! The juice of the pineapple squirts and flows out and drips off his hands.
To an Asian, this is unacceptable. Why does one have to waste the beautiful pineapple juice, and not drink it, or make something from it? Another thing is that when using the corer, only a tiny bit of the pineapple is carved out, leaving the juicy edible flesh in the shell.
We Asians are stingy and frugal. We do not waste food. It is like this big sin to waste! OK, I get it when you go to a nice hotel or bar and you order a cocktail or mocktail and you get this fancy pineapple, with a hole and the drink inside it. I did a bit of research and these are some of the fancy drinks that is served in a pineapple fruit.
- Pineapple Margarita Sparklers.
- Pineapple Lime Beer Margaritas.
- Frozen Brunch Punch.
- Pineapple Ginger Champagne Cocktail.
- Strawberry Pineapple Margaritas.
- Tropical White Moscato Sangria.
- Pineapple Hibiscus Margarita.
- Pineapple Mojito.
- Arugula Pineapple Daiquiri.
- Pineapple Mint Julep Margarita.
I cannot really remember what these cocktails taste like as it has been so long that I have been a teetotaller.
But at home…, hey, money is sometimes tight and one needs to be thrifty. Actually it is not the money part, it is the wasteful part. I am from the old school so, saving anything is a virtue ( most of the time).
I remember a few years back, I was in the community centre and the ladies wanted me to demo cutting a pineapple and I did it. The were fascinated and later it was considered the most interesting piece, or event of the year.
So here I am trying to impress you. I have made a video and all the explanation is there.
The most important thing is to have a sharp knife.
Here are the things you need for this exercise.
How to cut a pineapple
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Chopping Board
Ingredients
- 1 Pineapple, ripe
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp preserved plum powder, or assam powder
Instructions
- Cut off the crown of the pineapple'
- Cut off the bottom of the pineapple , so that it can stand upright.
- Cut off the skin of the pineapple with the knife, slicing from top to the bottom. Repeat while turning the fruit.
- Check and make sure the green bits of the pineapple skin is cut off. Make sure that the eyes are not cut off.
- Look for the spiral pattern of the eyes. With the knife, make a 'V' cut on both sides of the eyes, with the cut meeting under the eye. or eyes. You can cut 2 eyes at once.
- Finish cutting all the eyes out this way.
- Then sprinkle the salt on the fruit and massage it gently.
- Rinse the salt off. Pat dry and you can cut it to whatever shape you like.
- I like to cut it into 8's and then cut it across into little triangular pieces, and serve it raw.
- It can be served with a sprinkling of salt or the preserve plum powder. It can also be served with a rich cake, or made into a drink with a blender or smoothie. Malaysians like it to be served a an ingredient in a 'rojak' or a local fruit salad.
- I hope you enjoy the cutting and learn something new. Don't forget to chop up the pineapple skin and crown and put it into the compost bin.
Here is the video of the whole thing. I hope you enjoy it and click like and subscribe. Please like and share using the url, please. Many Thanks.
Penang Lassie
