Pineapple Jack-O'-Lantern

This technique uses one of my newest kitchen gadgets: a pineapple corer-slicer! While you can certainly remove the insides of the pineapple using a knife and spoon, this tool makes the job so incredibly easy! Serve the perfectly sliced pineapple after a delicious meal, and use the juice and bottom scraps in a smoothie!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 151 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 large pineapple
• 1 tea light candle

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Lay the pineapple down horizontally on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut off the top 1 1/2 inches, leaving the leafy crown intact. Set top aside.

Step 2

Place the pineapple upright, with the flesh exposed on the top. Center the pineapple corer-slicer directly over the center core and push down slightly. Hold the pineapple with your left hand while twisting the handle of the corer-slicer clockwise with your right hand, with a slight downward pressure. Continue until you reach the bottom, making sure that you do not cut through the skin at the bottom of the pineapple.

Step 3

Pull up on the handle of the corer-slicer while pulling down with your left hand to remove it from the pineapple. Remove the handle from the corer-slicer and remove the sliced pineapple to a serving plate. Pour any juice that has collected in the bottom of the pineapple into a glass or container for another use.

Step 4

Using a paper towel to get a firm grip, reach into the pineapple and wrap the paper towel around the core that remains inside. Place a firm grip on the core, and twist slightly to detach the core from the bottom of the pineapple. Discard core.

Step 5

Using a large spoon, scrape any remaining pineapple from the bottom of the pineapple to create a level surface for the candle.

Step 6

Using a small flexible paring knife, carve out eyes, nose and a scary grin. Replace the top of the pineapple and refrigerate until ready to display. When ready to display, place a tea light candle inside and illuminate.