Monday, June 25, 2012

when life gives you pineapples, can 'em!



Last week, our local Fred Meyer (Kroger, to others) had an incredible sale on whole pineapple. (10 for $10!) Since I'm an opportunist when it comes to sales, I grabbed the limit of 10 and high-tailed it home before the store managers had a chance to rescind their offer. The problem with opportunists in the grocery store is that most of us are impulse buyers too. I had 30 lbs. of pineapple and no idea what to do with it all.

Once home, I learned that after the rind is removed, pineapple can be frozen, dried, or canned to preserve it. Since our freezer is full of strawberries (in tubs for wine making), I opted for canning the pineapple. Because of it's high acid content, pineapple doesn't need lemon juice and can be canned in a light sugar syrup. Pineapple juice could probably be used, but I didn't have any and wanted to stick with a proven recipe. (If anyone has tried this, please let me know for any future pineapple buying opportunities.☺)

To can pineapple:


In a medium saucepan, mix 2-1/4 cups organic sugar with 5-1/4 cups water. Heat to boiling; reduce to simmer until needed.

Carefully cut the top and bottom of the pineapple off. You can use a pineapple cutter/corer, or you can do it old-school like I do by using a sharp knife and cutting the rind off in a downward motion. Remove the pineapple away from the core by cutting down in 4 sections. (I save the cores and dehydrate them. They can be used to flavor kombucha or tea later!) Cut the pineapple in chunks (or if using a corer, they can be left in rings) and add to a wide mouth pint jar. Leave an inch of head-space at the top of the jar.


Ladle the hot sugar syrup over the pineapple and use a butter knife to remove air bubbles. (Just swirl it around.) Wipe the rim and place hot lids with rings on top. Screw down tight. Place in hot water (boiling) bath canner and process for 15 minutes for pints; 20 for quarts. Remove from canner and let the jars cool before storing in a cool, dark area. Refrigerate and use any that do not seal within a couple of days.

For the record, 10 whole pineapples yields approximately 24 pints of canned pineapple chunks. Not bad for $10!☺

This post is linked to Laura Williams' Carnival of Home Preserving.

16 comments:

Homesteading wife said...

I never would have thought of doing this! What a great idea and a great deal.

Chiska said...

What's your elevation? Might seem like a strange question, but I always have to adjust for elevation and I really want to try this! Thanks, C

Kris said...

I never would have thought of doing that either. Aren't you just the frugal little smart person. I will have to try that when I see some on sale. Thanks! How are you, by the way? Any news yet?

Unknown said...

Oh I wish I'd taken advantage of that sale! I thought about it when I was in the store, but decided against it. We've got so much going on with the wedding next week, I was afraid I would have totally stressed myself out! I also considered buying it to make wine. :)

Enjoy your pineapple! :)

Kim said...

Chiska~I'm only at about 200 ft. elevation. For elevations 1,001-3,000, add 5 minutes. 3,001-6,000, add 10; 6,001-8,000, add 15.

Kris~So far the news has been positive! Will have more answers in the next month or so, but I'm holding on to the positive for now!

Crazynursea said...

Did you know that you can grow more pineapples from the tops? Just scoop out the tops, to get rid of excess and plant. Lots of sites on the internet for this one. Very few requirements but can only be planted outside in frost free areas year round....other wise in containers or pots. I have 8 going outside and will try and protect them for the few freezes we get. Grocery store that prepare pineapples for sale will give you these for free. Make a great house plant if nothing else...and maybe, if you are lucky...in two years.....

Chiska said...

Thank you!

SweetLand Farm said...

What an awesome deal!!! I would love to find a deal like that!! Do they taste good after canning them? I love fresh pineapple, but store caned not so much.

Candy C. said...

Wow, what a great idea! I would have never thought of it either and would have just bought one! LOL!! Twenty-four pints of pineapple for $10 is a steal!! :)

Candy C. said...

P.S. Have you ever considered removing word verification since you moderate comments? ;-)

Kim said...

Valerie~I waited until the last day of the sale to go in. I don't think I would have done it if we were planning a wedding though! You're a smart lady! :)

Crazynursea~I'll try it!

Chiska~You're welcome!

SweetLandFarm~One of mine didn't seal so I can assure you that they were delicious! They didn't have that tinny taste that the store-canned pineapple does.

Candy~Thanks for the heads-up~I thought I had taken the word verification off. It's done now...I hope?

Kris said...

My mom tries growing pineapple all the time. Those darn pesky squirrells get them every time.

Kim, I am so glad you've had good news!!! It sounds like you are doing everything right. I haven't had to go back about my thyroid since last year.

Lisa said...

Now why didn't I think of that?? Thanks for sharing such a terrific idea!! ~Lisa

Anonymous said...

Home Canned Pineapple is awesome! Thank you for linking up at the Carnival of Home Preserving!

Lisa said...

FM has this same deal going on pineapple this week (it's 6/2/13). I immediately remembered you posting this last year and plan to do a little canning this week. Thanks again for sharing this terrific idea! My kids are going to be so happy! Hope you and your family are well, Kim.

Blessings, ~Lisa :)

Lisa said...

14 pints from 10 pineapples! I think we ate a lot of it fresh...

Thanks again for the great idea, Kim. :)