Pineapple Power and My New Favorite Winter Fruit

Sadly that what my green Strawsome's last stand

I love a big bowl of ice-cold cherries or a succulent white peach but I’m not a summer fruit snob. I spend the winter perfectly happy with Asian pears, Cara Cara oranges, ruby red grapefruits and pineapple. When it comes to fruit, I guess I  have a “love the one you’re with” mentality and I have a couple of current loves.

Pineapple always seems like a treat to me. You can casually buy an orange but when you purchase a pineapple you usually have to have a plan. I’m currently using pineapples in these:

Greek Pina Coladas

1 container 2% Greek yogurt

½ cup fresh pineapple

1 tsp. unsweetened coconut

1tsp. coconut palm sugar

dash of organic mint extract

Stir together the yogurt, extract and sugar until blended. Top with coconut.

Green Pineapple Smoothies (pictured at top)

1 cup  fresh pineapple

optional (1/2 pineapple core chopped)

½ to ¾ cup filtered water

1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior protein powder

1 handful dinosaur kale

 ¼ cup cilantro

zest ½ lime (use microplane)

6 drops Nu Stevia

Add water and then rest of the ingredients to Vitamix or blender capable of kale crushing. Blend. Thanks to one of my clients for tipping me off to the pineapple/cilantro combo.

When purchasing pineapples keep in mind they don’t ripen off the plant and organic production prohibits ripening agents so a little green hue is ok. And pineapples do more than taste good. They contain bromelin which is approved by German Commission E (aka the herbal authorities) to treat swelling and inflammation following injury or surgery.  If you take bromelin supplements use caution in that it can make blood thinners and sleep aids more potent.

Pineapple is also one of the only foods that increase serotonin levels making pineapple a bona fide mood food. And don’t toss the core. I’m less intrigued that pineapple cores are rumored to be a fertility food than finding a use for this fibrous portion. I use cores in my juicer or as you see above in smoothies too. Try using the core to flavor iced teas or if you’re so inclined to infuse your own vodka.

Then, on Thursday a client came in waving one of these

“You have to try these, they are the best.” This wasn’t the type of person who raves about produce so when I spotted these Sumo Tangerines at Whole Foods, I grabbed a few. I had a friend over and gave her one. We peeled  effortlessly and at the same time said “yum”. They really are the best oranges,  a cross between a navel and mandarin. The season is short so if you see them, give them a try.  They’ll make you forget about affordable berries and love them one you’re with.

With fruit are you a summer snob or love the one you’re with? What’s you’re favorite way to eat or cook pineapple? Do you use the core? And have you tried sumo tangerines?