Pineapples - take a vacation without leaving!


	PINEAPPLE
	Pineapples are sweet and delicious but hard to get into, if you are unfamiliar with the bumpy terrain. They are worth the exploration and once you cut a few open, you'll be able to do that process in minutes. There are plenty of gadgets out there to cut the pineapple away from the skin and get the core, but a sharp knife can do the job well too. If you want to serve festive drinks in your pineapple, get one of those fancy corer gadgets that will actually slice out the meat, core it, and save the shell. Pineapples can be used in desserts and fruit salads, they can be grilled, added to stir fries, or added to meats that roast to let them caramelize. Or they can be eaten as slices all on their own. Pineapples protect against cancer since, like Garlic and Onions, they contain sulfides which pathogens don't find hospitable. They aid in digestion and can reduce inflammation. To maximize their power, eat them 2 hours after a meal. Eat pineapples or juice the skins if you have sinusitis, a sore throat or are recovering from surgery. Packed with Vitamin C and cancer-protecting enzymes, Pineapples are an anti-inflammatory and can help clear sinuses. Eat them regularly during the flu season.

	Maui Pineapple are smaller than the usual but they more than make up for that with an intense sweet delicious flavor. Great things really do come in small sizes! Certified Maui Organic is pineapple at its most natural state, produced by sustainable farming practices and approved by the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association. Store in the refrigerator and cut open for breakfast one day and watch the day's stresses melt away as you imagine you're on a vacation in Hawaii.
	Costa Rican Golden Pineapple are gorgeously inviting deep golden yellow inside indicative of a flavor that transcends your current surroundings and takes you to a far away island where the sun hits your cheeks as a cool breeze dances through your hair. They seem to keep longer than other pineapples and are as delicious as they are inviting!
	Facts:
	Nutritionally: Pineapple has only 75 calories in cup serving and is high in manganese, vitamin C as well as being a good source of B1, B6 and dietary fiber.

	How to choose: Pineapples are ready to eat when they are picked and will not increase in sweetness. Look for a pineapple that is heavy for it's size with fresh leaves, a firm shell, a nice even color (yellow or green), and a nice smell at the stem.
	How to store: Store them in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
	Fun Facts: Pineapple is America's 2nd favorite fruit (first is the banana!) San Jose, Costa Rica is called the "Big Pineapple" because the streets in the city are laid in the shape of a big pineapple! In early times, Pineapples were something only royalty could enjoy. If you were a guest in the 1600s of a wealthy home, they would graciously welcome you into their home with a pineapple as the centerpiece of a giant fruit display. Legend has it, when the pineapple was removed, you had overstayed your welcome. It's a myth that pulling a leave off the crown is an indication of ripeness or sweetness; it means nothing.
	Cooking Tip: If you think your Pineapple will go bad before you have a chance to use it, cut it up and freeze it to use later in smoothies or a frozen pineapple sorbet! Because of the enzymes in fresh pineapple, it makes a great marinade for meats but shouldn't be added to gelatin desserts. Add it to cottage cheese or yogurt just before serving so that the acid doesn't break down the dairy. Try grilling them with brown sugar or maple syrup! Add them to spicy dishes that have hot chili peppers for a nice balance of hot and sweet. To cut open your pineapple, first twist off the leaves/crown in one bunch (or you could lop it off with a knife.) Then cut off the bottom and place it on your cutting board to slice off the skin. Make sure you either cut off enough skin to get the eyes or use a melon baller to take out the eyes. Then slice or cut in chunks. If it's a young tender pineapple, like most Mauis, you can actually eat the core because it's not too tough. If it's bigger or the center is tough, you can remove that. If in slices, simply take your circle cookie cutter to pop those out. Makes a beautiful presentation that way!
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