Pineapple Bob

I like pineapple, but it’s not one of my top 10 favorite fruits (which include superfoods like blueberries and smooth, luscious mangos). Plus, they’ve always seemed a bit..impossible to cut up. But Whole Foods had a display of whole ones, $4 each, and they just looked so bright, cheery, festive for the new year. So I brought one home and found a guy, I’ll call him Pineapple Bob (he just looks like a Bob!) to show me what to do with it. Pineapple Bob’s steps:

1. To see if the pineapple is ripe, pull a green leaf out. It should come easily.

2. Store pineapple in the refrigerator, upside down, for 30 minutes. This distributes sweet juices throughout the whole pineapple. (Mine actually sat in the fridge for a week, before I decided to actually do something. Was still good!)

3. Twist off the leaves

4. With a chef’s knife, cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Then shave the sides, taking care to remove any remaining brown spots.

5. Slice, then remove centers (if desired) with a paring knife. Voila, pineapple!