How to cut a pineapple

Pineapple is at the top of my favorite fruits list.  I love them. However, I'm picky about pineapple too.  No mediocre pineapple will do, and I refuse to pay more than $3.00 for one.  I pick them by making sure they have pretty green leaves and a lack of moldiness on the bottom.  However, the main factor is the sniff test.  Pineapples usually have one of two smells:  musty or sweet.  If the pineapple smells sweet, purchase it, take it home, cut it, and eat it.  You'll be in for a treat!

To cut the pineapple, grab a sharp (big) knife and place the pineapple on a cutting board over the sink.  A trash can directly beside you won't hurt either.  Here's my reasoning for the placement of the cutting board and trash can:  pineapples are very, very juicy.  They will drip sticky juice all around your cutting board and across surfaces to throw away the scales and hair...keep clean-up simple for yourself.
Step 1:  Decapitate the pineapple.  Then proceed to cut off it's rumpus too.

Once step one has been completed, you'll be able to stand the pineapple up to make step 2 a little easier.

Step 2:  Quarter the pineapple, making sure to get it fairly even (you want to be sure that you have the core divided).

Step 3:  Lay it out flat so the quaters don't slip off the board.  Pineapple's notorious for trying to run away when on the chopping block...

Step 4:  Stand up one quarter and cut the core (corner) off.

Step 5:  Cut the quarter chunk in half.  Then with each piece still standing, cut off the scaly side.  Make sure to cut deep enough to remove all scales and seedy chunks--but not so deep that you lose the yummy edible part.

Step 6:  Lay out flat--on the side where the scales used to live.

Step 7:  Cut into bite-sized pieces.  Place in serving dish/storage container after cutting each strip.  Again, it will try to run away if you give it the slightest opportunity...

Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining quarters.  Enjoy!!

Lingering thought of the day:  Eli watched Cars for the first time last night.  He loved it!  I had him up on my lap at one point and smooched him on the cheek.  His response was, "Mama, watch da cars!"  I cracked up.  Are little ones supposed to be too cool for mama kisses before they reach the age of two?