If you have some pineapple leftover from the LOVE SALAD, I suggest grilling it up for a sweet-savory dessert. You don’t even have to go outside, just use your indoor grill pan.
Lots of people think of pineapple as a summertime treat, however, fresh, sweet pineapple is available all year round with lots of healthy benefits. Pineapples are good sources of vitamin C, B6, thiamine, manganese and fiber. They have zero fat and cholesterol as well.
I love using pineapples in meat marinades, they are an excellent tenderizer as they contain the enzyme bromelain that digests protein. This same enzyme is also found in kiwi and papaya and causes gelatin to break down. The canning process destroys this enzyme, which is why only canned pineapple is used in congealed desserts. When bromelain is used as a natural supplement it is said to aid with digestion and ease inflammation. With all the tenderizing effects of pineapple, don’t soak seafood in it very long, the texture will turn mushy.
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How to buy a perfect pineapple, it’s easy, select pineapples that feel heavy for their size. The rind should be firm, with a little bit of give, with no brown or soft spots. You know a pineapple is sweet if you see yellow on the bottom, extending up. Sugar starts developing at the base, so those pieces are sweeter than pieces closer to the crown. An all-green pineapple was picked too early. Store in the refrigerator no longer than three days; when picked ripe, pineapples are very perishable. Plus, because they travel long distances, you don’t know how long its been since the fruit was harvested. Place some pineapple juice in the bottom of a container to store cut pineapple, it will stay fresh longer.
More Reasons To Love Pineapple
Try pieces of frozen pineapple in place of ice. They keep drinks cold without watering them down.
It keeps fruit fresh. Prevent apple slices from turning brown by soaking in pineapple juice. The acid in the pineapple inhibits the enzymes that cause some fruits to brown when cut or bruised. Lemon juice works but can be too sour.
You can make a “boat” with it. Cut around the inside of a pineapple, leaving a 1/2″ shell. Make 1″ cuts, and scoop out pineapple with a spoon. Cut and remove core. Fill with fruit salad.
It goes with bacon. Wrap pineapple wedges in bacon, sprinkle with brown sugar and bake at 375 degrees until bacon is crisp.
You can spike it. Infuse pineapple slices with spiced rum fro a grown-up treat on a hot afternoon.
It’s great with ice cream. Cook 1 cup cubed pineapple in 2 Tablespoons butter, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons dark rum and a pinch of cinnamon until tender. Serve over ice cream.
Make pineapple mojitos!
So don’t pass up the pineapple at the store, it has so many great uses.
Stir together orange marmalade and lime juice in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 15 seconds.
Peel and core pineapple, and cut into quarters. Reserve half of pineapple for another use. Halve each of the two remaining quarters lengthwise into long spears.
Brush with vegetable oil and toss with marmalade mixture. Sprinkle with salt.
Grill pineapple over medium-high heat (400 degrees) for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.
Serve with a scoop of ice cream and freshly chopped mint. I did serve mine with vanilla ice cream however, I do think the perfect accompaniment would be coconut sorbet. Living in California, coconut sorbet was never a problem to find, in Oregon, I haven’t seen it. I’m not sure if it is a seasonal item here or just not easily found in the Pacific Northwest. I will keep looking.
Grilled Glazed Pineapple
Adapted from Coastal Living
Serves 4
1/3 cup orange marmalade
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 pineapple
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Vanilla ice cream or coconut sorbet
Chopped fresh mint
Stir together orange marmalade and lime juice in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 15 seconds.
Peel and core pineapple, and cut into quarters. Reserve half of pineapple for another use. Halve each of the two remaining quarters lengthwise into long spears. Brush with vegetable oil and toss with marmalade mixture. Sprinkle with salt.
Grill pineapple over medium-high heat (400 degrees) for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.
Serve with a scoop of ice cream and freshly chopped mint. I did serve mine with vanilla ice cream however, I do think the perfect accompaniment would be coconut sorbet. Living in California, coconut sorbet was never a problem to find, in Oregon, I haven’t seen it. I’m not sure if it is a seasonal item here or just not easily found in the Pacific Northwest. I will keep looking.
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I love grilled pineapple. I have even smoked pineapple along with my BBQ. It is very good that way!
Oh wow, that is beautiful and I love all the other ideas for pineapple you gave. Costco always has freah cut up so it makes it even easier! And yes to the coconut sorbet.
Grilled pineapple sounds really perfect to serve with ice cream. By the way, just want to let you know that I made your Sticky Peanut Butter & Jelly Wings yesterday. My family loved it, we couldn’t stop eating it while we watching the game. Thanks for the recipe Cathy!
I just love the top of the post photo. I love pineapple and this grilled pineapple is making my mouth water. I have the grill and everything. Why not try it?
I’m a major fan of pineapple to begin with but have never thought to grill it. Yum! They served chocolate dipped pineapple chunks at the Super Bowl party we went to yesterday that were heavenly!
That reminds me, I used to make a rum glazed pineapple all the time.
You are right, I never think of pineapple in the winter and that looks so delicious!
And for the record, pretty sure everything goes with bacon! 😀
I loooove grilled pineapple. I’m definitely making this when I get a new grill pan.
I love pineapple. Any pineapple. This looks awesome!
Fabulous Post! I love grilled pineapple and this looks absolutely wonderful. Thanks Cathy
What a beautiful dessert and a nice change from the usual cake or pie. Coconut sorbet… you would probably have to go to downtown Portland to one of the gelato shops.
My mouth literally started watering and I thought I would get drool on the keyboard. No joke.
This just goes to prove simple is often the best. This looks wonderful, Cathy.
My husband loves pineapple. But he only likes it cold. I’d love to try this, but I’m not sure he will.
Grilling pineapple really brings out its sweetness, this looks amazing, what a picture.
Sounds excellent with a scoop of ice cream!
Thanks for the guidelines on picking a good pineapple. I’ve always wondered how to tell which one to get, but never remember to look it up.
I love grilled pineapple – serving it with coconut sorbet is a fantastic idea.
Looks so nice and yummy Cathy – beautiful!
Ooh, bacon wrapped pineapple…oh yeah!
MMmmmmmm! Bacon sorbet with that sounds delicious! That’s something I’d have to make though as I’m sure I’ve never seen it anywhere around.
Gorgeous photos!
D’oh, I meant COCONUT sorbet! I had been reading the comment directly preceeding mine and had bacon on the brain. At least I’m not wrong about one thing…I’m sure bacon sorbet would be IMPOSSIBLE to find anywhere!
This looks divine. Living in upstate NY, pineapples will never be in season for me LOL, so I usually eat the canned variety, but I should definitely buy a fresh one once in awhile. They are so delicious.
Jenn
Oh my goodness! This is such a fantastic dessert idea! It’s not too heavy and it’s full of health benefits.
Thanks for all of the great pineapple facts!!
This is one of my all time favorite desserts!!
I love freah pineapple and yes it’s available ALL THE TIME. I love all the other ideas you have too, very nice. Now I’m craving coconut sorbet.
Well if you aren’t the pineapple guru?! I love pineapple and your ideas sound fantastic!
We love grilled pineapple with grilled shrimp and/or pork too; course it makes a mean salsa as well.
Not a fan of pineapple. I can occasionally eat a bite or two of fresh but that is about it. I never did acquire the taste for it but some in my family love it so we sometimes use it in things….I just pick it out.
Quick Coconut Sorbet
Bon Appétit | April 2001
1 15-ounce can cream of coconut (such as Coco Lòpez)*
1 cup ice-cold water
1/4 teaspoon rum extract
Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl.
Transfer to 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Freeze until frozen, stirring every 30 minutes, about 3 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)
*Available in the liquor department of most supermarkets nationwide.
Love this pineapple post! Some great ideas and your grilled pineapple looks luscious- all caramelized! Yum. My dad used to make the most heavenly pineapple sherbet-well it really was pineapple ice cream, but it was wonderful.
One thing I loved about living in Hawaii was all the fresh pineapple! I love it.
WOW… I do love grilled pineapple, have for a long time… but now I want to try that bacon wrapped pineapple
We get great pineapples here in LA, and we love them any which way. Haven’t grilled them, though. Obviously worth it!
I needed your pineapple tip this weekend Cathy! I was looking at the pineapples, and they were pretty cheap, too, but then I put it back because I was thinking pineapples in Feb. wouldn’t be good, how do I know if its ripe, etc… Now I know and will get one!
I loved pineapple even before this post!
Mmmmmm, grilled pineapple! And with ice-cream to boot, wow. In the summer when hanging out with friends on the deck, nothing perks up the crowd like grilled pineapple with freshly ground black pepper (sounds odd, but trust me here), and a spritzer of dark rum on there is always welcome.
the ice cube replacement tip is great, but nearly as wonderful as this glazed concoction must be with COCONUT SORBET. be still my heart!
I love fresh pineapple but it hates my stomach for some reason, but I can handle cooked pineapple. This looks amazing! Also, makes me want to go to Hawaii!
Woops, this comment was supposed to go on the entry with the chicken. Oiy!
I don’t know about coconut sorbet in Oregon, but I do know that New Seasons (in the PDX area) has some good coconut ice cream… can’t imagine grilled pineapple and coconut ice cream could be bad!
I bought a pineapple last week too. I absolutely love grilled pineapple. Seeing your picture would make anyone want to try it, especially with coconut sorbet.