As soon as it is harvested, the quality of fresh pineapples quickly decreases. Anyone who is now familiar with the traditional method of preservation by boiling will preserve the refreshing fruit enjoyment for a long time. Following these instructions you can do it.
How to preserve pineapple?
To successfully preserve pineapples, cut them into slices, remove the hard center and put them in jars. Pour dissolved sugar in water over it, heat the glasses in a water bath to 100 degrees Celsius and cook for about 25 minutes.
The right preparation – explained step-by-step
Immediately after harvesting, start preparing the fresh pineapple, as even short storage affects the quality. The leaf crown and base are first cut off with a sharp knife. To get as much of the pulp as possible, proceed in this way:
- cut the unpeeled pineapple into 1 centimeter thick slices
- peel each slice as thinly as possible with a sharp knife
- remove the hard center piece with a cookie cutter
As you wish, cut the pineapple slices into bite-sized pieces or leave them in one piece. To preserve a large fruit, 2 to 3 jars are usually required. As part of the preparation, these and the lid are meticulously cleaned. In the next step, dissolve 300 grams of sugar in 1 liter of boiling water and set the mixture aside until it cools down.
How to cook pineapple perfectly
The prepared pineapple slices or fruit pieces are filled into the glasses. A small margin of 1-2 centimeters remains free. Now pour the sugar solution over the fruit. To continue:
- place the unsealed preserving jars in a pot of water
- hang a cooking thermometer in the kettle
- heat the water up to 100 degrees Celsius
- cook at this temperature for 25 minutes
The cooking time is reduced to 4-5 minutes if the pineapple has already been heated beforehand. After the time has elapsed, turn off the stove. The pineapple glasses remain in the water for another 10 minutes to cool down. Then screw the lids tight. Leave the preserving jars upside down on a kitchen towel until they have cooled completely.
Tips & Tricks
Do not throw away the separated leaf. You can easily grow a new pineapple plant from it. Place the pulp-free stem in nutrient-poor, permeable substrate. First, pull off the bottom two rows of sheets. In the warm, humid microclimate of the mini greenhouse or under a plastic bag, rooting starts quickly.
