A pineapple can be turned into a boat that makes a pretty centerpiece.
A pineapple boat is a creative and delicious way to present fruit at a party or other event. Instead of using a container to hold a fruit salad or pineapple slices, use the pineapple itself. You can make creative pineapple boats that are decorated on the outside and contain mixed fruit salad, fruit dips, savory dishes such as fried rice or shrimp, or pineapple slices. Each pineapple splits in half to yield two boats, so think about two different dishes that you can serve together.
Instructions
1. Keep the top of the pineapple on, but remove the dead leaves
Choose a pineapple. Select a pineapple that is firm but slightly soft. Make sure that the pineapple is not squishy and overripe, since overripe pineapples may have unattractive brown spots inside them that you do not want in your pineapple boat. Cut off any leaves that look unsightly. Leave the top on for visual effect.
2. Use a small knife to cut the pineapple.
Find the fleshy portion in the center of the top of the pineapple. Place the sharp knife in the middle of the leaves at the center of the pineapple and begin to cut downwards carefully in a straight line. Cut the pineapple lengthways and downwards on both sides until you have sliced it in half.
3. Place the cut pineapple on the table with the flesh facing upwards. Use a paring knife or a grapefruit knife to score a delicate line that begins at the top of the pineapple and moves toward the bottom of the pineapple. Trace a line that is 1/2 inch from the outside skin of the pineapple. Do this on both sides from top to bottom. The lines will start close together and naturally curve outward as the pineapple curves outward. Once you have determined that the lines look the same and the cuts will be symmetrical, cut down into the line slowly until your knife is about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the pineapple.
4. Cut the pineapple into pieces for fruit salad.
Remove the flesh from the inside of the pineapple. Place the fruit on a plate. Remove the tough core section from the middle and cut the rest into 1-inch cubes. Make clean cuts so that you can use the pineapple for a fruit salad. Run the knife along the bottom and the sides of the and clean up any bits that are sticking out from the sides of the boat.
5. Dab the pineapple with a cloth to remove any excess juice. Place the pineapple boats on a serving platter. Fill the boats with fruit salad or other desired filling, piling the filling higher than the top of the boats. Put a large serving spoon, small forks and plates beside the platter to serve.
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