Day 5: Cut your own Pineapple

Day 5

Pineapples look intimating. They are spiky and hard. How can you tell when they're ripe? The only form pineapple was eaten in my household was from a can. Moving to California exposed me to fresh pineapple.  It was love at first bite. Fresh pineapple is sweet, juicy and tastes nothing like its canned counterpart.

I also love pineapples because they remind me of friends. A college roommate taught me how to cut a pineapple and I think of her every time I do so. My amended instructions are below.

Day 5: How to Cut a Pineapple

The same friend taught me to soak it in water for a bit to reduce the acid in the pineapple. Another friend taught me how to pick pineapples. Turn it upside down and check the bottom for mold. No mold is best, a little is fine but a lot is not fine. A lot of mold means the pineapple is too old. Then pluck a leaf from the top. If it comes out easily, then the pineapple is sweet. If it does not come out easily, then try another pineapple. My information may be scientifically inaccurate but they're tradition. Also, I've chosen and eaten some darn good pineapples over the years.

This poster was inspired by a pineapple purchase this week and the fact I really enjoy pineapples. It seems straight-forward but I felt as though the poster was about self-reliance and the phrasing seemed familiar. Then I remembered this wonderful article about the owner of Trouble Cafe. On the menu, there's an item called Build Your Own Damn House. It's a cup of coffee, a whole coconut, and toast. The menu may seem like a gimmick at first but the story behind it is compelling. It's about building connections and stability while living with a mental illness.  Each item represents something that has sustained her over the years. Pineapples remind me of friendships and knowledge sharing.


Do you have a memory associated with a particular food or food preparation? What is a favorite skill you learned from a friend?