Pineapple- - -Guide fom Costco

By MarieR

Ingredients

• 1 Pineapple
• Twist the top off;
• Cut it into quarters;
• Core it and peel the skin;
• Cut into cubes.

Preparation

Step 1

Picking the perfect pineapple

When choosing a pineapple, look for freshness and size. As soon as they're picked, pineapples stop ripening, as they do not carry a starch reserve. When you see one in the store, it is as ripe as it ever will be. Look for green leaves, and avoid pineapples with bruising and dark spots on the body. A firmer shell indicates freshness as well. Coloration is not a sign of ripeness or freshness. Larger pineapples contain a higher proportion of edible meat.
"A strong scent of sweetness is a good indication that the fruit inside will be sweet as well," says William Goldfield, communications director at Dole Food Company.
Propping: a few steps
Getting into the meat of this delicious and nutritious fruit is actually a snap. The trick is to learn a few cutting techniques that allow you to cut into the fruit without sacrificing too much of its meat or accidentally leaving on a thorn (ouch!). See the sidebar for tips.