After a lifetime of carving pumpkins, maybe you just need to mix things up a bit this year. Pineapples might not scream Halloween, but the tropical fruit works really well as an alternative to traditional gourds.
Here are a handful of examples people have shared on social media:
This one even brings a bit of original Halloween back into the picture by using an orange glowing light in the middle.
Pineapples certainly do have more of a festive feel when fruity drinks are being served:
Pumpkins have the advantage of smooth exterior skin, meaning you can get more detailed with your design. With pineapples, the prickly skin means your options are a bit more limited. But they’re easier to cut and carve than you might think. If you haven’t sliced many whole pineapples in your life, once the center fruit is removed, the exterior isn’t as tough as it looks.
Here’s how to carve a pineapple:
Step 1: Choose a pineapple
You’ll want to select a pineapple that doesn’t have any soft or mushy spots on it. It should have just a tiny amount of give to it when you squeeze. A telltale sign of a good pineapple is one where you can distinctively smell pineapple when you take a sniff.
Step 2: Chop and core.
Then you’ll need to chop the top off and core the rest. A pineapple corer is key because you won’t risk breaking through the skin. They’re really easy to use — just line up the middle with the center of the pineapple, and twist. It’s like a big corkscrew for fruit. Plus you’ll save a ton of time and still be able to eat the delicious insides.
Step 3: Carve
Finally the fun part. Be sure to use a super sharp kitchen knife to avoid accidents. Your trusty pumpkin carving knife might be too big for the much smaller pineapple, so pick one from your knife block in a size that makes sense. I used a small paring knife so I could cut those tiny vampire teeth and maintain control.
Step 4: Light it up
Only when you place a lit candle inside can you really admire your work. Use a tea light in the center, or if you’re displaying these unsupervised — possibly at a party where there is alcohol involved — you may want stick to battery powered candles.
Pineapples won’t last as long as pumpkins, so if you’re planning on using them for Halloween decoration, make time the day of or before.
Pineapples not your thing? Consider one of these other great options for carving. Rutabagas anyone?
Also see, Creepy new cooking show coming to Netflix.
