How To Sculpture or Cut A Pineapple Without Losing Much Of Its Fruit

Look at me.

Don't hate me because I am.........exotic.

Underneath this armor of tufts, spines and bumps, is a succulent body.

You can use me for almost anything.

Not just my naked body, you fool.

Say, have you noticed my top? I could clothe you in fine finery.

I am silk...unmade by worms.

I am wealthy... of vitamins and minerals.

I am royal...worthy of a crown.

The sun adores me. We are perfect soulmates.

Nothing could make me more radiant than its rays enveloping my entire existence.

The scent of a pineapple...how does one describe me?

Alluringly lovely and lingerlingly sweet.

Dial me up A-N-A-N-A-S. it's my French root. Parle 'ah-nah-nah.'

Or as my Spanish passport lists me... PINA. Diga me 'peeh-nyah.'

When my armor glows golden, I am ready for the plucking.

Eat me and get bromelainnnn happy!

There was once a spoiled lazy girl who cannot be asked to lift a finger to help around the house. When the girl's mother got sick, she was asked to prepare a simple meal for her sick mother. The girl thought of the best excuse why she could not prepare her sick mother's food. How conveniently it was for her to realize that she cannot find the kitchen gadget to be used to prepare the meal. " I cannot find it, mama, so I cannot make your meal."

Her sick mom, for crying out loud, wished that her daughter would have more eyes, so she could find things more easily. At that moment, the puttering and complaining stopped, all was quiet in the house. The lazy girl's mother called for her but the lazy girl did not respond. The neighbors had heard the anxious cries and came to the mother's aid. The kind neighbors cooked and took care of the mother until she got better. Days went by and the girl was not heard from ever again.

One day, the mother was up and about in her yard, she happened upon a strange-looking plant on the ground. The oblong-shaped thing has prickly leaves and dotted with numerous protruding tufts that resembled the shape of round eyes. Dear mother daunted by her discovery and despaired by her daughter's absence, and jogged with wistful memory of her daughter, blurted that this must be the daughter she wished for to have more eyes.

Realizing her unintentional curse, the mother promised to replant "her daughter," so she may flourish and be useful to all.

Dear readers, it's time to snore.

And the moral of the story is????

The top is called a crown which is a group of short stiff tufted green leaves that is surrounded by long needle-sharp foliage.

The fruit is actually a combination of a multiple spiral-aligned flowers that metamorphosed into compressed little fruits to produce one fruit, we call a pineapple.

The pineapple flesh can range from sour to sweet. Take a hint from the pineapple's waxy rind or 'peel.' Green to golden yellow or almost reddish indicates sourness to sweetness in that order. Most people prefer to discard the core of the pineapple because of its fibrous texture.

Producers and manufacturers of pineapples use every part of the fruit to create by-products like vinegar, alcohol and animal feed.

Just like some fruits that are versatile like the apples, pears, oranges and so on, the pineapple can used for savory cooking.

Pineapple compliments Asian and Asian-inspired dishes with beef, pork, chicken, and seafood. You will taste a highly-accentuated flavor on your curried and sautéed meals. It is classically yummy on teriyaki-flavored burgers or entrées. The next time you plan a meal in the flavor of your choice, add this all-around fruit.

• Loaded with Vitamins C, manganese, Vitamins B1 & B6, folate and dietary fiber
• Contains anti-oxidant defenses
• Builds energy
• Possesses anti-inflammatory qualities
• Aids in digestion
• Boosts the immune system
• Cures throat infection and bronchitis
• Treats rheumatoid arthritis
• Helps reduce periodontal disease and gingivitis
• Speeds up tissue repair from injuries
• Reduces blood clotting
• Removes plaque from arterial walls
• Enhances blood circulation
• Protects age-related eye problems
• Prevents nausea

• Reduce age spots and fine lines
• Removes dead skin cells
• Smooths and lightens the skin
• Soothes burnt skin
• Softens the skin and dry patches of elbows and knees

• Canned as chunks, crushed, slices
• Bottled and canned as juice or pulp
• Cooked as jams, chutneys, compotes
• Hawked as potions and lotions

The top countries producing pineapples are:

1. Phillippines
2. Thailand
3. Costa Rica
4. Indonesia
5. China
6. Brazil

Source: www.ers.usda.gov/data/fruitvegphyto/Data/fr-pineapples.xls These are also the top countries allowed to export pineapples to the U.S.A.

The pineapple was discovered in the Americas by different explorers: Columbus in Guadaloupe in 1493; Magellan in Brazil in the mid-15th century; and James Cook introduced the pineapples to Hawaii in 1770. Hawaii started its pineapple plantation in the 18th century. The state of Hawaii still produces the fruit but because of labor costs, it is more economical for the United States to import the pineapple.

In this century, where seasonal fruits can be acquired during off season, we can be thankful that the pineapple is one fruit that can grow during our winter in South American summer.

Can't beat a fresh ripe pineapple. However, when there is a sale, I would buy a couple and tinker in the kitchen. Preparing a Pineapple Compote is fast and easy and you can count on its versatility.

• Use it as topping for ice cream sundae or banana split.
• Garnish your plain cheesecake.
• Sweeten your cereal or oatmeal.
• Flavor your quinoa breakfast.